By Quinn Vokes, '09

The holiday season is just around the corner and with it comes "Lessons and Carols," a holiday festival featuring the Albion College Concert Choir, Women’s Chorus and Briton Singers. The celebration of the season on Sunday, December 7, at 7 p.m. in Goodrich Chapel!

The Service of Nine Lessons and Carols was designed by Archbishop E. W. Benson for use in the cathedral at Truro, England. The first formal event was held there on Christmas Eve, 1880.  The service was later simplified and modified for use in King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, in 1918 by the Very Reverend Eric Milner-White, who was Dean of the Chapel at that time.  The late David L. Strickler introduced the service to Albion College in 1966 and it has been a cherished tradition ever since.

The choral music includes a delightful arrangement of "Sussex Carol" by Philip Ledger, "Pengyou Ting," a Chinese carol arranged by Carolyn Jennings, and the beautiful "Ave Maria" setting by Franz Biebl.  As usual, the performance begins with the processional, "Once in Royal David City," arranged by David Strickler. The event closes with the famous Strickler arrangement of "Silent Night" with the choir surrounding the audience in candlelight.

This performance is free and open to the public.  For up to date calendar information, visit our website at www.albion.edu/music or call the Music Department at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 517/629-0481.