Northern Lights
Music of the Nordic and baltic countries
The otherworldly beauty of the aurora borealis is the spark for our holiday concert. From medieval chant and traditional carols to dazzling works by Arvo Pärt, Ola Gjeilo, and Veljo Tormis, you’ll journey through a thousand years of ethereal Baltic and Nordic choral music. In our centerpiece, Northern Lights by Ēriks Ešenvalds, voices, chimes, and tuned water goblets combine to evoke the spectacle of the aurora.
Of note: Our performances of Northern Lights at Bastyr University Chapel will be sung-through, and will not include any spoken introductions to the pieces after our welcome message; we will ask the audience to hold applause until the end of the concert. These concerts will be recorded.
Our performances of Northern Lights at Seattle First Baptist Church will include introductions from choir members and Karen P. Thomas, and audience members will be encouraged to applaud as they are moved to do so.
In person: Saturday, December 13, 2025 ‐ 3pm & 7pm
Chapel at Bastyr University - Kenmore, WA
pre-concert conversation at 2:30pm & 6:30pm
In person: Saturday, December 20, 2025 ‐ 3pm & 7pm
Seattle First Baptist Church - Harvard & Seneca, Seattle
pre-concert conversation at 2:30pm & 6:30pm
Streaming: Monday, December 22, 2025 ‐ 7:30pm
online, free; donations gratefully accepted
premiering on YouTube on December 22 and available on-demand for 30 days
“I deeply enjoyed the beautiful performance! Not only the high caliber of artistry and musicianship, but also the selection of pieces and all the details that went into the concert, were so well-done. ”
Special thanks to our season and program sponsors for Nowell:
Listen to excerpts:
Northern Lights - Ēriks Ešenvalds
performed by Seattle Pro Musica
Biegga luohte - Jan Sandström
performed by St. Jacob’s Youth Choir
Accessibility at our venues:
Chapel at Bastyr University is accessible for those with mobility issues - the church is on the same level as the large parking lot, and there is a passenger drop-off zone with a ramp located outside the main doors.
Seattle First Baptist Church is accessible for those with mobility issues - they may enter via the glass doors on Harvard (between Seneca and Spring) to use the elevator; there is also a passenger drop-off zone located just outside these doors. Please note that balcony seats are only accessible via stairs.