Don’t miss the “The Best Lessons and Carols in Central Conn."

In the sixteenth annual Festival of Carols, the Christmas story will be told with readings and with music by the Chancel Choir of the First Congregational Church of Cheshire, the GMChorale, and singers from the Cheshire community .

Welcome the holiday season on Saturday, December 14, 2019 with the 16th edition of A Festival of Carols, the much-loved annual presentation by the Chancel Choir of Cheshire’s First Congregational Church, the GMChorale, and singers from the Cheshire community, all directed and accompanied by Joseph D’Eugenio, Director of Music at the First Congregational Church in Cheshire and Artistic Director of the GMChorale.

The Festival takes place on Saturday, December 14, 2019, at 5:00 pm, in the historic First Congregational Church at 111 Church Street in Cheshire. The event is family-friendly, free, and open to the public. All are welcome; the doors open at 4:30 pm. The snow date is Sunday, December 15, at 5:00 pm.

In the lovely sanctuary of one of Connecticut’s iconic Federalist churches, glowing with candles and seasonal decorations, the Christmas story will unfold in thoughtful readings and choral anthems, with all assembled invited to join in singing traditional Christmas carols.

“The Festival of Carols offers a respite from shopping, traffic, and holiday stress, and an opportunity to connect deeply with the hope and joy of Christmas,” said The Rev. Dr. James Campbell, Senior Minister of First Congregational Church. “The service offers seasonal readings, moments of contemplation, and a selection of uplifting, beautiful music that will appeal to everyone.”

The service is modeled on the Festival of Lessons and Carols that was first offered in Truro, England, in 1880 (where it has since been performed without interruption) and later made famous by the annual radio broadcast of a Lessons and Carols service at King’s College Cambridge, offered continuously since 1918.

“Like the traditional British carol festivals, the Festival at First Congregational Church alternates seasonal readings with specially-chosen music that reflects on the texts,” said Joseph D’Eugenio, Director of Music at the First Congregational Church in Cheshire and Artistic Director of the GMChorale. “The musical portion includes several anthems to be sung by the combined choirs, along with a number of familiar carols and hymns for everyone to sing together.”

“When several hundred people raise their voices to sing together in joy and celebration, it’s really quite remarkable,” added Campbell. “And people come not just from Cheshire, but from around the whole region, to participate in this evocative, meaningful Christmas service.”

The service opens with the carol made famous by the King’s College service, “Once in Royal David’s City,” sung in procession as the choir enters the church. Along with more familiar carols such as “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “Angels We Have Heard on High,” the service includes modern classics, including the anthem “Lift Up Your Heads” by Newington-based composer Peter Niedmann. In November, the Chancel Choir of First Congregational Church gave the premiere of Niedmann’s latest major work, “New Every Morning.”

The music of another Connecticut composer, Sarah Meneely-Kyder, will be heard in her setting of “In the Bleak Midwinter,” a favorite poem by English poet Christina Rossetti. Meneely-Kyder is well-known for her oratorio Letter from Italy, 1944, which was composed for and premiered by the GMChorale. The program of music also includes evocative settings of Christmas texts by David Hurd, John Rutter, Gustav Holst, and other favorite composers.

D’Eugenio will lead the choir and congregational singing from the console of the church’s dynamic Aeolian-Skinner organ. Built in 1949 and substantially renovated and expanded in 2014, the organ has been called “one of the most beautiful instruments in the region.”

The Festival of Carols takes place on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 5:00pm at First Congregational Church, at 111 Church Street on the Green in the center of Cheshire, just off Route 10. All are welcome.

EVENT DETAILS

What: A Festival of Carols – Welcome the holiday season on December 14, 2019 with the 16th edition of A Festival of Carols, the much-loved annual presentation by the Chancel Choir of Cheshire’s First Congregational Church, the GMChorale, and singers from the Cheshire community, all directed and accompanied by Joseph D’Eugenio, Director of Music at the First Congregational Church in Cheshire and Artistic Director of the GMChorale.

When: Saturday, December 14, 2019, 5:00 pm. The doors open at 4:30 pm.

SNOW DATE: Sunday, December 15, 2019, 5:00 pm.

Where: First Congregational Church of Cheshire, 111 Church Drive, Cheshire, CT.

There is ample free, off-street parking in the church lot and behind the Town Hall.

Accessible: Yes

Admission: Free. All are welcome. A free-will donation will be accepted.

Family Friendly: Yes