Concerts & Events

2025 Christmas Concerts

Our 2025 Christmas concert series focuses on the stories of Christmas, quietly spreading the joy and good news of the season. We look forward to seeing you at one of these venues.

This year, we're excited to announce a special collaboration with The Tulsa Carolers for the Brown Bag It concert on December 10. You won't want to miss that! There will only be 2 performances that day, one at 11:00 am and the other at 12:15. Tickets are required for admission, but are free. You can reserve them at Ticketmaster or other ticketing sources for the PAC.

FBC Jenks

Small Ensemble, not a full concert

12:15 PM, Dec 1 (Monday)

11701 S Elm St
Jenks, OK 74037

Christ Church on Harvard

Dinner Concert, not a full concert

5:30 PM, DEC 3 (WEDNESDAY)

3515 S Harvard Ave
Tulsa, OK 74135

Owasso First Methodist Church

7:00 PM, DEC 4 (THURSDAY)

13800 E 106th St N

Owasso, OK 74055

Redeemer Church

Small Ensemble, not a full concert

8:00 AM, DEC 7 (SUNDAY)

5415 E 101st St

Tulsa, OK 74137

TBD

7:00 PM, DEC 8 (Monday)

TBD

Tulsa Performing Arts Center

with The Tulsa Carolers - Tickets Required

11:00 & 12:15 AM, DEC 10 (WEDNESDAY)

110 E 2nd St S

Tulsa, OK 74103

TBD

7:00 PM, DEC 11 (Thursday)

TBD

Rhema Bible Church
Small Ensemble, not a full concert

8:00 AM, DEC 14 (SUNDAY)

1025 W Kenosha St

Broken Arrow, OK 74012

St. Paul's UMC

7:00 PM, DEC 15 (MONDAY)

1442 S Quaker Ave

Tulsa, OK 74120

Music

Repertoire

From the Oxford dictionary - a stock of plays, dances, or pieces that a company or a performer knows or is prepared to perform.

It is always a challenge to keep a variety of pieces in Tulsa Festival Ringers' repertoire that will appeal to as wide of an audience as possible. Some audiences are keen on hearing plenty of sacred music, since handbells trace their genesis back to the church where most audiences encounter them for the first time. Others prefer songs of the secular genre because they are more familiar and get more air time on television and radio. TFR strives to strike a balance between the two in order to provide an engaging experience for all to enjoy.

The list below constitutes TFR's repertoire for the 2025 Christmas Concerts. Some concerts may not include all of the pieces due to time or other programming constraints.

America the Beautiful

An exciting arrangement of a uniquely American piece. This arrangement by Arnold Sherman of Samuel Ward's classic, is exciting to listen to as it features organ, timpani and brass, along with the handbells. It is certain to enthrall the listener!

The Awakening

The ethereal opening of this original tune by Brenda Austin gives way to a wandering melody of hope underscored by flowing accompaniment. A lively and forceful variant on the melody ensues, propelling the piece through to its energetic conclusion.

Darkness in the Midst of the Storm

This original work by Mary Lou Fast was created during the COVID pandemic with heartfelt compassion for how so many people were feeling sad, depressed and lonely. This introspective and moving piece imparts a feeling of comfort and hope.

De Profundis

This original work based upon the opening of Psalm 130 (“Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice.”) is a haunting, emotional work with sublime and delicate musicality. Opening with ample, harsh dissonance, it gives way to a hopeful, rising theme that returns throughout the piece.

Elegy

An original composition by Hart Morris that was commissioned exclusively for this concert series. This haunting, emotional work was written to honor those killed, those who survived and those changed forever by the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, OK on April 19, 1995.

From Darkness to Light

Michael Helman takes us on a transformative journey in this flowing original piece. The emotional depths and lush writing provide a beautiful setting to allow the listener to contemplate on how we have been transformed by the events surrounding the Oklahoma City bombing.

Meditations on the Theme of Peace

This moving work was written in response to the global increase in violence. This work began with Derek Hakes' fascination with musical cryptograms 20 years ago to feeling compelled to develop that one cryptogram (PEACE) into a beautifully moving musical work based on the words PEACE and DONA NOBIS PACEM.

Praise and Reflection

Mary Kay Parrish has created a wonderful, uplifting piece with a melodic and rhythmic tune that will be sure to have you humming along! This song set the mood to give God praise for all that we have and provided a reflective section to contemplate on all of the things we have been given.

Psalm of Peace

Bill Payn has created a piece of heroic proportions with this beautiful song with a wonderful melody and harmony. The inspiration for the work was based on a tour through Poland and the Czech Republic where many remnants of World War II can still be seen. The song is intended to be an extension of Psalm 23; in particular "I fear no evil; for Thou art with me."

Quietude

This enchanting and captivating original work by Michael Glasgow comforts and soothes the soul. The tranquil beauty provides a calm respite from the constant stress of the seemingly unending stream of bad news that appears everywhere.

Recollection

Recollection is a soothing, lyrical composition that provides a wonderful, meditative opportunity. It provides the perfect backdrop to recall and reflect upon the events of April 19, 1995.

Reflections on The Plains

This epic work by Cathy Moklebust was commissioned by the Central Oklahoma Ringers and Directors organization for their 1999 festival in Oklahoma City, OK on the 4th anniversary of the OKC bombing. This piece contains 3 movements, "Sunrise and Wheatwaves", "Rodeo Jubilee", and "In Memoriam" - each of which captures a unique facet of the Oklahoma experience.

Unfolding

This original tune depicts the growth of individuals and groups as the progress through time - from very simple thoughts and expressions in the beginning the very complex and well-developed ideas and thoughts after time. The is much the way that we have come to deal with and relate to the events of April 19, 1995.