Nominate your loved ones for a story:

Nominate your loved ones:

Songs for the Season

by | Dec 2022

OVER A century ago, the Festival of Lessons and Carols was introduced by the King’s College Chapel In Cambridge, England. According to the college’s website, the event was introduced in 1918 to bring a “more imaginative approach to worship.” It was first broadcast in 1928 and is now broadcast to millions of people around the world. The service was also adopted by churches all over the world and takes place each Christmas season.

Adopted by All Saints Chapel at the University of the South in Sewanee, the church will hold its 63rd Annual Festival Service of Lessons and Carols on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3 and 4, at the chapel. According to The University Choir director, Geoffery Ward, the event is a festive gathering of university students, staff, and faculty, along with the community.

“It’s one of the signature events for the university,” he said. “Essentially, it is nine lessons that are read by members of the university community and the community of Sewanee. The lessons that are read are telling of the birth of Christ, the incarnation of the Messiah. The anthems and hymns are led by The University Choir. It’s really a gorgeous service. It starts with candlelight, and the choir sings some acapella anthems from the back of the chapel, then they precede with just candles. As they move toward the front, a little bit of light comes on from above the chapel. Then there is the opening where the prayers are read, and we all say the Lord’s Prayer. It launches into a hymn, and then all the lights come up. It’s quite a dramatic effect and helps set the tone for the service and for the season.”

According to Ward, The University Choir that leads the service is made up of 50 members from a variety of different majors.

“The University Choir is the choir that leads all of the liturgical services and all things chapel,” he said. “The choir is made up of 50 students from the college that are studying pretty much everything, not just students who have a music major. It’s a wonderful cross section into the variety of majors and minors.”

Preparation for the event began right after the students returned from fall break in October. For this season, there are 20 freshman members that are new to the choir. Ward said that they are excited to perform for such an honored and long-held tradition at the university.

“The thing that’s really cool is that they don’t really know what’s going to happen because it’s so special. The students always say that once you go through it, it just really hits you, and it’s very inspiring,” he said.

Ward has been a part of the event for the past seven years as the university choirmaster and organist. He also helps with recruitment, organizing tours, and fundraising for the choir, along with teaching at the college in the music department.

Ward said what is so special for him about the event is the magic that is unleashed in the form of atmosphere and bringing people together.

“It’s just the coming together of so many different people, and the magic of singing hymns,” he said. “Hymns that we have all known our whole lives, in that setting, led by brass and organ. It’s just kind of indescribable. It’s very mysterious in a way because it elicits a lot of emotion and a lot of memories of one’s past with not only the season of Christmas, but also just being able to be part of something special that is bigger than oneself. It’s something that you’re involved with. It’s that you’re part of a community that is really creating a work of art that is inspiring to thousands of people.”

Ward said he hopes those that attend are able to experience the magic of the season and of coming together.

“I hope that they have that same inspiration,” he said. “They hear the word and then they hear the music in response to the word and also accentuating the word. And just being able to be there for that is really not only important to the choir and all the work that we do there, but also to the chapel and the greater university community.” GN

More Good News

A Lifeline In The Skies

A Lifeline In The Skies

THE EMERGENCY phone rang, cutting through the morning silence at Erlanger Health System. This sound was familiar, yet one that never failed to send a rush of adrenaline through the LIFE FORCE Air...

read more
Mac’s Meat: Farm-to-Fork

Mac’s Meat: Farm-to-Fork

MAC’S MEAT Processing has transformed local food traditions in our town since 1969. Established by Hugh “Mac” McCormick, this family-owned business has continuously grown and adapted over the years...

read more
John Ferrell: Sweet Success

John Ferrell: Sweet Success

JOHN FERRELL squinted into the sun, watching honeybees lumber from flower to flower. It wasn’t the same frantic buzzing that irritated him as a child. This time, he saw the intentional movements,...

read more
Ray Cobb: A Lens of Courage

Ray Cobb: A Lens of Courage

A YOUNG RAY Cobb, barely out of his teens, crouches behind a sandbag in a mock Vietnamese village. Sweat beads are on his forehead, and condensation gathers on his vintage camera lens. The distant...

read more
Legacy in Motion

Legacy in Motion

LEGACY. A term that has many definitions. It can be one’s money or assets, faith or values, or reputation. While it can mean so many things, what is important to remember about a person’s legacy is...

read more
Giving the gift of lights

Giving the gift of lights

JASON DAUGHERTY is a lover of Christmas. He enjoys the time of year when the family gets together and shares gifts and fellowship, along with the birth of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He not...

read more
Bringing the Local Butcher Back

Bringing the Local Butcher Back

JEFF EBNER was riding his motorcycle on a hot Florida day when he stopped at a stoplight and noticed his shoe was stuck to the road. “I checked my shoe thinking I had stepped on a piece of chewing...

read more
Come Gather Here

Come Gather Here

CHEERS, THE Central Perk, Paddy’s Pub, MacLaren’s, and Monk’s Cafe. What do they all have in common? They are all iconic gathering places. Places that came into our lives each week, via our...

read more
The art of Preserving History

The art of Preserving History

PAINTERS CREATE with oils, pastels and watercolor. Sculptures work with clay, stone, and wood, and musicians experiment with melody, harmony, rhythm, and form. Each of these types of artists work...

read more
Remembering those who served

Remembering those who served

MY GRANDFATHER was a World War II veteran. He served as a staff sergeant for the United States military. He woke each morning and raised the American Flag, displaying it proudly from a front yard...

read more
The good stuff takes time.

The good stuff takes time.

MARTHA CAROL Luttrell, more commonly referred to as MC Luttrell, has played a foundational role in organizing a community outreach event in Franklin County over the last several years. Her tireless...

read more
Juneteenth

Juneteenth

“FREEDOM” enters the chatroom, and immediately it’s all, barbecued meat and who’s got the biggest bang of a firework show. While Independence Day is our nation’s designated time to pause and...

read more
Training for success

Training for success

Α NEW DOG, we imagine, would be a wonderful addition to our homes. We immediately picture wet kisses and cold evening cuddles. We see the perfect spot for his bed in the living room corner and...

read more
Licenses and Learning

Licenses and Learning

POWERBOATS, HOUSEBOATS, jet skis, jon boats, and even sailboats all make appearances at the annual Spirit of America Youth Boating Camp on Tims Ford Lake.  As the interest in water recreation...

read more
Juneteenth

For God and Country

FRANKLIN COUNTY residents have a long history of service to their country. It’s a history still being uncovered and honored through the Franklin County Veterans Flag Memorial, an American Legion...

read more