80th Annual Service of Lessons and Carols

This year will mark the 80th anniversary of one of Birmingham-Southern College’s oldest and most beloved traditions.

The annual Service of Lessons and Carols will be held on Friday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 4:30 p.m. at Canterbury United Methodist Church. The BSC Concert Choir, Southern Chorale, and Alumni choirs will offer music for the season, along with familiar carols for congregational singing. Also, in the tradition of the Oxford service, scriptural lessons will tell the story of the Advent and nativity of Jesus.

The service will be led by BSC Chaplain Rev. Julie Blackwelder Holly ’01 and conductors Dr. Lester Seigel ’79 and Dr. Jeff Kensmoe of the college’s music department; BSC Professor Emeritus of Music Dr. James Cook ’68 will serve as organist.

In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of this long-standing service, the choirs will include music composed or arranged by BSC faculty and alumni, including Hugh Thomas ’33, Allen Orton Gibbs ’35, and Sam Batt Owens ’56, as well as Cook and Seigel. A historical essay about the Carol Service is being prepared and will be available at the service.