Adrian College’s Lessons and Carols service goes virtual due to pandemic

Posted Friday, December 18, 2020
Author: Mickey Alvarado

“O Come, All Ye Faithful” is the first song in Adrian College’s Lessons and Carols service this year despite the local and state restrictions on group gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lessons and Carols has gone virtual this year and anyone interested can participate online at their own convenience.

Lessons and Carols, also known as the Festival of Lessons and Carols, is a traditional service of Christian worship celebrated during Advent, the beginning of the liturgical year in Western Christianity. Adrian College’s service is normally held on campus in Herrick Chapel and has become a favorite tradition for many. The story of the promise of the Messiah and the birth of Jesus is told during the service through scripture reading, interspaced with Christmas carols, hymns and choir anthems.

This year’s featured music was recently recorded following the Adrian College Preparedness Plan for in-person classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. All singers were masked and socially distanced in rehearsals and recording sessions. The Adrian College Choir rehearsed and recorded in sections to avoid large groupings. The final recordings were assembled through sound editing.

The service features traditional music including “The Little Drummer Boy,” “O Holy Night,” “Joy to the World, the Lord is Come,” and many others.

Performances are given by the Adrian College Choir with co-conductors Phillip and Kristin Clark, the AC Women’s A Cappella Ensemble with Kristin Clark conducting, the AC Opera Workshop Singers with Kristin Clark conducting and the Freshman Chamber Ensemble.

To attend the virtual Lessons and Carols service, go online to aclessonsandcarols2020.com.