"A Christmas Vigil is based on a larger single-movement piece written for the First Presbyterian Church of Virginia Beach, VA. That earlier work, A Dundee Fantasy, was commissioned to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the church. That major concert piece, based on the hymn tune Dundee, was premiered by Alan Morrison. Several smalll units left over from drafts of a Dundee Fantasy suggested Christmas to me because of the carillon-style ostinato at the beginning that returns grandly at the end. The joyous momentum throughout the whole composition makes this igil suitable for a Christmas season concert."

-Adolphus Hailstork

2024, Theodore Presser, 10 pgs, Easy/Medium (photo resembles actual item)

Adolphus Hailstork received his doctorate in composition from Michigan State University, where he was a student of H. Owen Reed.  He had previously studied at the Manhattan School of Music, under Vittorio Giannini and David Diamond, at the American Institute at Fontainebleau with Nadia Boulanger, and at Howard University with Mark Fax. Dr. Hailstork has written numerous works for chorus, solo voice, piano, organ, various chamber ensembles, band, orchestra, and opera. Dr. Hailstork resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and is Professor of Music and Eminent Scholar at Old Dominion University in Norfolk.