The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is a century old tradition of music and readings during the holiday season.
It’s been presented at the Sacred Heart Cultural Center since 1988 and each year brings different voices to sing and read passages from the text.
“For us Episcopalians, it came from the Church of England, and we’re very familiar with it. It feels like home,” said Keith Shafer, director of music at Saint Paul’s Church, whose choir will blend with the John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School Chorale for the presentation Dec. 9 at Sacred Heart.
It was first presented at King’s College Cambridge in England on Christmas Eve in 1918
The purpose was “to offer solace to people who were distressed, exhausted, injured and in many cases, bereaved at the end of the First World War. In this pandemic year, many people are experiencing some of these same realities and feelings. But while war gave people a great sense of togetherness and community, the pandemic forces people to be isolated, distanced and anxious,” according to the King’s College website.
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William Toole, who retired as a music professor from Augusta College in 1995, started the program and continued conducting the concert until 2015 when he asked Shafer to take over the reins.
The concert with readings by community leaders will begin at 7:30 p.m.
It’s a fundraiser for Sacred Heart and tickets are $25 each. Call (706) 826-4700 for more information.
Another holiday musical tradition is Abilene Baptist Church’s 43rd annual singing Christmas tree at the church located at 3917 Washington Rd.
Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m., Dec. 9 and 10, 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 11 and 3 p.m. Dec. 12.
Free tickets are available at the church office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. They can be purchased online for a $1 convenience fee at itickets.com. For more information, visit myabilene.org/sct
On Sunday, Dec. 12, the Church of the Most Holy Trinity’s parish choir will present a Mexican Baroque Christmas Concert.
Holiday selections created by Mexican and Spanish composers from the 16th-18th centuries will be featured at the event.
“We hope you can join us for a delightful and interesting musical evening filled with melodies from the cathedrals of Puebla and Mexico City. The fusion of Spanish and Mexican cultures during the 16th century in Mexico gave life to outstanding cultural and musical enrichment. Indigenous rhythms and dances found their way into the works of great Spanish, Mexican, and Portuguese composers of the time, resulting in music that is lively, joyous, dance-like and enchanting,” according to the church website.
The free concert is scheduled for 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
