The holiday season is characterized by traditions. From leaving cookies for Santa to caroling to lighting the menorah, everyone has their own special way to celebrate the season. At Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois, the start of the holiday season is marked by the university’s gift to the community, the traditional Vespers Concert, which is now celebrating its 45th year.

Vespers, which means "evening prayers," is performed each year by more than 300 vocalists and instrumentalists and has become one of Millikin’s most beloved traditions. This year’s four performances will be held Dec. 2 and 3 (two performances per day: 3:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.), and sell-out crowds are again expected.

Millikin’s own First Step Records, a student-run recording label, is recording and selling the Vespers concert on CD, so that the Vespers tradition can be experienced at home. Representatives from First Step will be accepting pre-orders for the CDs in the lobby of Kirkland Fine Arts Center before and after each Vespers performance. They will also have other CDs for sale at the same time.

"Not only will this year’s Vespers CD be on sale, but also CDs of Vespers 2005 and the rest of the First Step catalog," says Pamela Borgers, vice president of marketing for First Step Records. With the exception of a $30 two-CD Richland Hoffland set, all CDs will sell for $10 each, which covers the cost of production and helps fund other First Step projects.

You can find a selection of titles from First Step Records at Millikin Blue Connection online and at the retail art gallery in downtown Decatur, Illinois.