For the twenty-second consecutive year, the Catawba College Department of Music presents its annual Service of Lessons and Carols. The Thursday, December 3 performance in the Omwake-Dearborn Chapel is the only one open to the general public. A Tuesday performance is for invited guests of the college.
Again this year, Paul E. Oakley, Catawba College’s director of choral, vocal and sacred music studies, associate professor of music, and also the college organist, will serve as artistic director and principal conductor of this popular event.
The annual Service of Lessons and Carols is a widely anticipated community event which has played to full houses in recent years. Tickets, although free to the public, are required for all who plan to attend and can be obtained by calling the College Development Office at 704-637-4396 between 1 and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tickets will be available beginning Monday, November 16.
In addition to Oakley, other conductors and musicians include Dr. Stephen Etters, conductor; Professor Dennis Jewett, conductor; Randi Skaggs, conductor; Dr. Julie Chamberlain, pianist; Tonya Brittain, conductor; Christina Pier, soprano; Martha Bartz, mezzo-soprano; Dr. Robert Hallquist, pianist; and Stephen Stringer, Catawba Organ Scholar. The Catawba Singers, the Catawba Chorale, the Catawba Chamber Singers, the Catawba Wind Ensemble and the Catawba Children’s Chorale will be featured with special guests, the Market Street Brass Ensemble of Greensboro and the Belles and Beaus Handbell Choir of Union Lutheran Church. Liturgist will be Dr. Kenneth Clapp, senior vice-president and chaplain of the College.
A prelude of Christmas music will begin at 6:30 p.m., with the Service of Lessons and Carols starting at 7:00 p.m.
The service is based on the famous ritual that originated at King’s College in Cambridge, England, which weaves beautiful carols of the season with scriptures or lessons, relating to the story of Christmas from the prophecies to the mystery of the Holy Trinity.
Although admission is free, tickets are required and may be obtained by calling 704-637-4396 between 1 and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Shuttle service will be offered beginning at 5:30 p.m. each evening from the Robertson College-Community Center, the Ketner Hall and the Shuford Stadium parking lots on campus. After each performance, the shuttle service will also be available to return guests to their vehicles.