Dordt Worship releases new Christmas music

Dordt University’s Worship Arts Department released their first Christmas single “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” The single is available on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.

The student-led project featured a fresh arrangement of a hymn that has been used at Advent and Christmastime for over 1,200 years. Rev. Dr. Jeremy Perigo, associate professor of worship arts, says that the driving rhythms set the tone of the historic lyrics inviting Emmanuel to come, celebrating Christ’s arrival in Bethlehem and praying for his second coming.

“I loved seeing this fantastic worship ensemble come together to create a unique arrangement of this timeless hymn of the church,” says Perigo.

Director of Production Arts Alex Priore and Perigo served as producers of the single. In addition, many students were involved in the project:

Keys: Makayla VanderWier

Synth: Nia Boentoro

Vocalist: Ellie Van Hulzen

Vocalist: Josie Huffman

Bass: Ricky Rietveld

Drums: Josh Kroeze

Guitar & Producer: Dillan De Jong

Vocalist, Cello & Producer: Annabelle Hosmer

“It was such a blessing to be able to look back at this picture of what God was doing through our team on campus when we recorded this single,” says De Jong. “This project represents the community of musical worship we had on campus.”

Hosmer says that it was a great opportunity to work with an amazing team in creating a new arrangement on a Christmas classic.

“We got to see how God is faithful through every season and is truly Emmanuel, God with us. All Glory be to him,” she says.

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review