Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols scheduled
A “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” will debut this year in Athens on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 6 p.m. inside the First Presbyterian Church, 405 E Corsicana St, Athens.
The 20-person ecumenical choir (from several local churches) will be singing songs such as "I Wonder as I Wander" to more familiar Christmas carols such as "O Little Town of Bethlehem." Also part of the program, several young-to-old readers will intersperse the music with readings of short Bible lessons.
The program is free, and a reception for those attending the program is planned afterward.
A second presentation of the “Nine Lessons and Carols” will be on Sunday, Dec. 18, at 6 p.m. at the St. Matthias Episcopal Church, 205 Willowbrook Dr, Athens. This concert is also free and will also have a reception after the program.
The popular Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols has a significant history, as it was first held on Christmas Eve 1918 at Kings College in Cambridge, England, having been adapted by E.W. Benson. Archbishop of Canterbury, for use in his Cathedral.
Now over 100 years, other churches, institutions, mass media (radio/tv) have adopted the program because of its joyous and meaningful content related to Christmas. Athens is now in its seventh year because of the program’s popularity.
Janis Beth Capelle, the director of both events, is currently the Music Director at the First Presbyterian Church in Athens. She also co-owns JBK Music Productions LLC while maintaining her vocal and piano studio. Her performances in the U.S., Europe, Hong Kong, and Taiwan and her many prestigious programs and renowned works are too long to list.
She is accompanied in the program by Ken Schofield of JBK Music Productions LLC, who handles the audio and video for the performance.
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Pictured from left to right, starting with the back row, are some of the members of “A Festival of Lessons & Carols” 2022, taken after their Thanksgiving Sunday afternoon rehearsal. Back Row: Fr. Matthew Frick, Cliff Miercort, Bob Schoonover, Mark Smith, Tim Danielson, Burt Lively, Dr. Lee Hudson; Second Row: Ginger Chandler, Susan McGivney, Sheri Robson, Tilla Strickland, P. J. Ericson, Edwin Skiles; First Row: Susie House, Geneva Skiles, Lyn Young, Sarah Skiles, Maria Ogburn, Nikki Du Bose.
Not pictured: Pastor Woody Meredith (FPCA), Janis Capelle - Conductor and Director of Music (FPCA); Mamie Downing - Organ, Mary Hortman - Keyboard & Vocals, Brandon Barnes - Tenor, Phyllis Lively - Alto, Dominic Bradbury - Trumpet, and Tim Smith -Trumpet.
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