Ouachita’s annual Service of Lessons and Carols set for Dec. 9
December 02, 2014
- Rachel GaddisOuachita Baptist University’s School of Fine Arts will present its 18th annual A Service of Lessons and Carols on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m. in McBeth
Recital Hall. The service is free and open to the public.
Ouachita adopted the traditional service from those performed in 1880s rural England,
which featured Christmas carols and Scripture reading to celebrate the incarnate Christ.
“The seriousness, formality and spirituality of this service are what make it special
for so many people,” said Dr. Gary Gerber, chair of the Division of Music and professor
of music. “The focus is the advent of Christ.”
The carols will be performed by several groups—the Ouachita Singers, Women’s Chorus
and Handbell Ringers—while Scripture will be read by faculty and students of the School
of Humanities, as well as President Rex Horne and Stan Poole, vice president for academic
affairs.
As Lessons and Carols is a worship service, the audience is invited to sing along
with the congregational carols. “We like to include congregational singing,” Gerber
said. “That is what I enjoy the most about the service. When I am not conducting,
I can participate and be a worshiper.”
Gerber will be leading the Ouachita Singers. Dr. Becky Morrison, assistant professor
of music, will conduct Women’s Chorus, and John Briggs, instructor of voice, will
conduct the Handbell Ringers. Accompanying the carolers will be organist Adam Haas,
visiting assistant professor of music.
Those who will read Scripture throughout the service include: Dr. Jeff Root, dean
of the School of Humanities; Dr. Johnny Wink, Betty Burton Peck professor of English;
Tiffany Eurich, instructor of communications; Taryn Bailey, a freshman mass communications
major from Kyle, Texas; John Sivils, a sophomore English major from Arkadelphia, Ark.;
Lauren Snow, a junior mass communications major from Wylie, Texas; and Marissa Thornberry,
a senior English major from Mabelvale, Ark.
For more information, contact Dr. Gary Gerber at [email protected] or (870) 245-5128.
By Rachel Gaddis // Photos by Tyler Rosenthal
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