Candlelight Festival of Lessons and Carols is Dec. 10; University of Richmond's annual holiday tradition open to the community

November 30, 2017

The greater Richmond community is once again invited to celebrate the holidays with the 44th annual “Candlelight Festival of Lessons and Carols” Sunday, Dec. 10, in Cannon Memorial Chapel at the University of Richmond. Two identical community services will be offered at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

A partnership between the Department of Music and the Office of the Chaplaincy, the services feature singers of the university’s Schola Cantorum and Women’s Chorale performing new and familiar Christmas carols and anthems in the tradition of the “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols,” which was first held at King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, England, on Christmas Eve 1918. The services conclude with the lighting of candles by the congregation and the singing of “Silent Night.” Prelude music will begin twenty minutes before each service.

Typically, the 5 p.m. service has standing room only, so if guests are able to adjust their plans, they may want to attend the 8 p.m. service to ensure seating.

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