Again for the 27th consecutive year, Catawba College will offer members of the Salisbury-Rowan and college community a chance to attend its annual Service of Lessons and Carols. On two evenings, Monday, December 1, and Thursday, December 4, members of the general public are invited to the Service which has become known as the institution’s gift to the community.
The Service will be offered in the beautifully decorated Omwake-Dearborn Chapel which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
The Service of Lessons and Carols is based on the historic ritual that originated at King’s College in Cambridge, England. It 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.
Dr. Phillip Burgess, Catawba’s director of choral activities and instructor of sacred music, will be the principal conductor, directing the Catawba Singers. Burgess is well-known in the Salisbury-Rowan community for his ongoing role as organist and choirmaster at the downtown St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.
Others contributing music include Matthew Brown, organist; Jacob Hahn and Susan Trivette, pianists; and the Catawba Chamber Winds, directed by Dr. Stephen Etters, an associate professor of music at Catawba. The liturgist will be Dr. Kenneth Clapp, Catawba chaplain and senior vice-president.
Those attending the Service will enjoy musical selections including "Adam lay ybounden," "Christ is the morning star," "God’s mother be," "The darkest midnight in December," "Who is He in Yonder Stall," "We three kings of Orient are," and "O magnum mysterium."
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. Shuttle service to the Omwake-Dearborn Chapel will be offered beginning at 5:30 p.m. from the Robertson College-Community Center, Ketner Hall and Shuford Stadium parking lots on campus. After the Service, the shuttle will also be available to return guests to their vehicles.
Tickets for both the December 1 and 4 Service of Lessons and Carols are free to the public, but required for all who plan to attend. Requests are limited to up to four tickets per individual. Tickets are available through the Catawba College Development Office by calling (704) 637-4396 between 1 and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and will be available for pick-up beginning Monday, Nov. 17, or at a will call table on the nights of the Service. Note that the college will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday beginning at noon on Nov. 26 through Nov. 28, and will reopen Dec. 1.
