Hope for the Holidays: An Evening of Christmas Joy at Rutgers Church

On Tuesday, December 9th at 7:00 PM, Rutgers Presbyterian Church will host "Hope for the Holidays," a concert that promises to be more than just a musical performance—it's a gathering born from a deep need for connection and encouragement in challenging times.

"People need hope right now," says Alexander Wright, one of the evening's featured artists, reflecting on what inspired this program. "We're all hungry for a little bit of light."

Wright, along with vocalists Katie Oberholtzer and Nathan Farrell—both well-known dynamic vocalists in the NYC jazz scene and nationally—created this program with a specific purpose: to offer encouragement through music. The three performers have been working together for the past three years at Rutgers under Music Director Gabriel Evans, as well as at Community Church New York under the direction of Darnell White and Matt Podd.

Both Oberholtzer and Farrell were finalists in the National Ella Fitzgerald Competition. Oberholtzer currently performs with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Future of Jazz Orchestra and is a semi-finalist in the American Traditions Competition. Farrell, born and raised in the tri-state area, grew up as a Jazz House Kid and was mentored by Christian McBride. Beyond jazz, both have made dynamic names for themselves in the NYC music diaspora—Farrell has recently worked with artists such as Lawrence and The Jonas Brothers. All three vocalists are expanding into original music this year, available on all platforms, and have worked as featured soloists throughout the Jazz at Lincoln Center Organization.

"When we did our first concert back in the spring with a social justice theme and community engagement undertone, it was interesting to see how much light and how much fight there was behind something that encouraged love and hope," Wright explains.

The evening will feature a musically diverse offering, presenting classical and sacred music, jazz, funk, soul, and gospel pieces—both original compositions and dynamic cover arrangements. Wright will perform Stevie Wonder's "Someday at Christmas"—a piece he's been singing for years that feels especially resonant now. "It's very encouraging. It's about seeing the world in a different place next year. I think we're all kind of there, kind of craving that light at the end of the tunnel."

For Wright, who grew up in the musical family known as The Wright Family Singers in Ohio with both grandparents serving as non-denominational pastors, this kind of cross-cultural connection runs deep. "They were very engaged with their local clergy and city leaders across religions I spent a lot of time growing up in all reflections of the church."

The timing of this concert speaks to something larger than the holiday season. In the wake of pandemic isolation, there's a palpable hunger for authentic connection, something Wright has witnessed firsthand in the resurgence of live music and arts.

"We're poised to connect more than ever, especially having known a time that we could not connect," he reflects. "That resurgence of connection has not fully pulled back, which is good. It's unfortunate what the underlying driving force is, but it's good to solve that in people's hearts, even if it's just for a night or just for a song."

This philosophy aligns with Rutgers' commitment to community engagement and sanctuary work. Wright, who has been a featured artist for the In The Sanctuary Series each year and has worked as a musical consultant and curator on the series since its inception in partnership with Peter Rinaldi and Lesley Countryman, appreciates Evans' approach to music. "Gabe offers such a diverse and high-level musical palette to the church year round. The level of skill present within the choir is so high that it gives the option to do some new things. And the principles of kindness inherent in the social side of Rutgers—that well just keeps on giving."

The holiday season has always held special meaning for Wright as a time of giving back to the community. "My grandparents were very big on supplying Christmas for families in need, doing public speaking and singing in communities that needed it. It was always about giving back."

This year, that spirit of generosity takes the form of shared music and hope. All participants in the concert have been working collaboratively through collective and different band projects for the last three to five years, creating a musical synergy that goes beyond a typical performance.

The evening's mission goes beyond entertainment: it's about creating space where everyone can see themselves reflected in the art. "There's somebody within the circle of creation for every single person," Wright emphasizes. "Our real goal is not just to sing or play a song, but to connect with the people around us by bringing them into our art in a deeper way."

As we approach the holidays in a world that feels increasingly fractured, "Hope for the Holidays" offers something essential: a reminder that connection is possible, that diversity strengthens rather than divides, and that music can be a powerful force for encouragement.

"That's what we want to see in this world right now," Wright says simply. "It's important for us that we connect and inspire hope this holiday season, because it seems like the thing we need more than ever."

Hope for the Holidays: An Evening of Christmas Joy
Tuesday, December 9th at 7:00 PM
FREE and open to all

Featuring: 

• Katie Oberholtzer, vocals 
• Nathan Farrell, vocals 
• Alexander Wright, vocals 
• Michaela Lewin, vocals 
• Maya Imani Jones, poet 
• Sterling Cozza, piano 
• Alex Dyring, bass 
• Adam Wooten, drums 
• Griffin Ross, saxophone

Rutgers Presbyterian Church
236 W. 73rd Street, NYC

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