(Leavenworth, Kansas) – The University of Saint Mary will present the annual Christmas Vespers Service at 7 p.m. on Dec. 7 in Annunciation Chapel on USM's Main Campus in Leavenworth – 4100 South 4th Street.
The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, so early arrival is encouraged.
The service, which celebrates its 46th anniversary in 2025, will feature the University Concert Chorale, Community Choir, and Vespers Chamber Orchestra. The ensembles are under the direction of Dr. David N. Vance and Professor Jonnie Brice.
Vespers will be recorded and posted after the service to the USM Music YouTube account.
USM will also honor the Katie Mika Memorial Scholarship recipients during Vespers. The 2025 awardees are Elizabeth Faught, Christopher “CJ” Goldman, and Brianne Totten.
The Concert Chorale students are:
Aaralyn Abell, Ault, Colo.
Mandy Butscher, Raymore, Mo.
Kaitlyn Coleman, Ozark, Mo.
Jose Del Valle, Kansas City, Kan.
Destini Dickson, Kansas City, Mo.
Alyssa Garrett, Basehor, Kan.
Ginevieve Jones, Beaver, Okla.
Ra’Mon Jones, Leavenworth, Kan.
Izabelle Meza, Harrah, Okla.
Rachel Rothmeyer, Leavenworth, Kan.
Ameia Taylor, Leavenworth, Kan.
Brianne Totten, Peculiar, Mo.
Brooke Totten, Muscotah, Kan.
Dawson Turner, Raytown, Mo.
Kira Wagner, Overland Park, Kan.
Alexandra Zegarra, Ridgewood, N.J.
The Community Choir members are:
Jody Allen-Long
Brad Cox
Regan Dalton
Sarah DaMetz
Kylee Dominick
Jalyn Floetke
Tom Gray
Jake Hamilton
Libby Hayden
Justyce Hulett
Linda Johnson
Grace Kenwolf
Josiah Ketterman
Tiffany Ketterman
Debora Kirby
Tom Lauhon
Sister Mary Lex
Nick Long
Debbie McClain
Hayley Pedroza
Nico Rodriguez
Judy Rounda
Robert Schofer
Ulrike Seward
Mark Soderlund
Robin Spinner
Cindy Tripp
Augustus White
The Vespers Chamber Orchestra members are:
Violin: Kim Ico, Sarah Patterson, Heather Anne Ward, and Sophia Hance
Viola: Theo Wren and Elena Kolbrek de León
Cello: Kieran Ojakangas and Austin Abernathy
Double Bass: Margo Sharp
Flute: Hannah Vance and Piper Abernathy
Oboe: Luis de León and Linda Flanagan
Clarinet: Katherine Anderson and Regina Bruner
Bassoon: Karen Schmidt and Kiri Baker-Davies
Trumpet: Cynthia Szczesny and Max Gemmill
Horn: Dr. Brian Casey and Danielle Jӧstlein
Trombone: Roger Tollefson and Nathan Brown
Tuba: John Lefler
Timpani: Dr. Michael Edwards
Percussion: Brandon Kendall and Elizabeth Faught
Harp: Deborah Clark
Organ: Joshua Hearn
The University of Saint Mary is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of Saint Mary main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. USM-Johnson County, at 11221 Roe Ave., offers evening accelerated graduate and undergraduate degree-completion programs. The university also offers online programs. Visit stmary.edu for more information.