To the beat of her drum

For music composition and creative writing major Mena Williams ’25, U of R’s Feast of Lights (FOL), which tells the story of Jesus’ birth through various artistic expressions, had been missing a fond piece of music – the little drummer boy.

Performing in one of Redlands’ oldest traditions since her first-year, Williams decided to take action into her own hands and compose a rendition of her favorite Christmas Carol. After working with FOL Director and Choral Conductor, Dr. Nicholle Andrews, Williams will debut her original composition titled, a boy and his drum, at this year’s 77^th performance.

“Two years ago, alumnus Noah Parady did a piece at Feast called Las Campanas Del Rey,” Williams said. “It was difficult, but it was so beautiful when finally put together. We got to perform it, and I was like, ‘I want to do something like that!’ I thought back to how we didn't have drummer boy on our program, how it's my favorite Christmas carol, and I was like ‘I'll write the piece.’”

Composing music on her own for the last 10 years, Williams began working on the score her junior year and sent Andrews the choir and orchestra piece once completed. Focusing her composition on small solo or chamber pieces, a boy and his drum is Williams’ first large piece of work.

“Being able to put on this large production and have it be part of an even larger production like Feast, which is an important thing at U of R, is an honor,” Williams said.

Having found a “genuine support group” of musicians and educator at the School of Performing Arts, Williams, a natural storyteller, is hoping the audience will connect with the “wonder of the holiday,” as she aims to bring “two worlds together,” music and story, through the composition.

“Mena has composed an incredible piece, and we are thrilled to share it with you,” Andrews said about Williams’ work. “The process of creating a work for the Feast goes far beyond the choir itself. Composition students collaborate closely with their studio instructors, Dr. Anthony Suter and Dr. Andre Myers, as they take a single musical idea and transform it into the masterwork that you’ll experience at the Feast of Lights.”

As Redlands sets the stage for the traditional performance, Andrews reflected on her upcoming 16 years as Feast director and the power of music.  

“Each year the Feast brings something new and unexpected,” Andrews said. “It’s as if I am directing the Feast for the first time all over again. In many ways, it’s like being a child on Christmas morning - an experience that feels fresh, exciting, and full of wonder for all of us.”

Learn about the Feast of Lights.