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On Saturday at 7:30 PM, Julefest will take place at St. John Lutheran Church in downtown Des Moines, which still has tickets available.

There is a 4:00 PM performance on Sunday at Luther Memorial Church on Grand View’s campus, however tickets were sold out within the first two weeks of availability.

Julefest, a show performed by the Grand View band and choir, is named after the Danish term ‘Jule’, meaning Christmas. This has been a tradition here at Grand View that dates back farther than what anyone can remember.

Choir Director Dr. Kathryn Duffy, has been a part of the Julefest production for the last 22 years. Every May at the end of a school year, she begins the preparation for the annual Christmas performance.

“I try to have most of the bones of the structure by the fourth of July, and I spend the rest of July massaging it, then we start practicing it, in earnest, once we get past Homecoming.” Duffy said.

Band Director Mark Doerffel acknowledged the work that the choir students put into this performance every year.

“It becomes real for the choir students. Once it gets past October, it gets real.” Doerffel said.

This year, the theme for Julefest is “From Heaven Above”, which takes from the ideas of Martin Luther, as a way to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

This theme has presented more challenges than past years, as there are many ideas to pack into one performance.

“It’s harder, because it’s like, how do I pack all of this into one thing?” Duffy said. “What one idea are we going to take that’s going to make sense and hang together as a unified whole.”

“I just think it’s really a wonderful way to wrap up your semester by taking a little time out to hear this Christmas message, especially when we live in a world not so generous and kind all the time.” Duffy said. “It’s really important to hear this message of hope and peace. One of the best ways to do that, is through music.”

Here is a preview from the GV choir for the upcoming Julefest performance.