Lessons and Carols
FOR ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS
The Carillon
George Matthew Jr. Angelina Como-Mosconi ’25 Madeline Pappano ’24 Sylvia Shure ’24.5
The Prelude
Chorale Prelude on “In dulci jubilo” Johann Michael Bach (1648–1694)
Grand jeu et Duo: “Quand Dieu naquit à Noël” Louis-Claude Daquin (1694–1772)
*Processional Hymn
Once in Royal David’s City (Choir and Congregation)
1. (Solo: Rohini Prabhakar ’23 )
Once in royal David’s city Stood a lowly cattle shed, Where a mother laid her baby In a manger for his bed: Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child.
2. (Choir)
He came down to earth from heaven Who is God and Lord of all, And his shelter was a stable, And his cradle was a stall. With the poor and mean and lowly Lived on earth our Savior holy.
3. (Choir and Congregation)
And through all his wondrous childhood
He would honor and obey, Love, and watch the lowly maiden, In whose gentle arms he lay: Christian children all must be Mild, obedient, good as he.
4. For he is our childhood’s pattern, Day by day like us he grew.
He was little, weak, and helpless, Tears and smiles like us he knew. And he feeleth for our sadness, And he shareth in our gladness.
• 2 •
5. And our eyes at last shall see him, Through his own redeeming love, For that child so dear and gentle Is our Lord in heaven above; And he leads his children on To the place where he is gone.
6. Not in that poor lowly stable, With the oxen standing by, We shall see him; but in heaven Set at God’s right hand on high; When like stars his children crowned All in white shall wait around.
The Bidding Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (in unison) Choir
Hidden in the grey, bending sky Stacey Philipps (2021)
The grey sky bent above us— It seemed so little, The earth.
Like a very distant village trio Of almost forgotten years, The trees sang. Then,
As a lone white rose, That stays its complete departure And leaf by leaf goes straying— Came, as from a greater beauty, Hidden in the grey, bending sky, Snow.
(Poetry by Leone Kelley. “Snow.” Poetry Magazine, Jan. 1920, pp. 180)
• 3 •
Words by Cecil Francis Alexander, 1848; music by H. J. Gauntlett; setting by David Willcocks)
First Lesson
Genesis 3:8–13, 22–24
Jen Nuceder, College Academic Affairs (4:00 p.m.)
Jeff Rehbach, College Choir Director Emeritus (7:00 p.m.)
*Advent Hymn: O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Choir and Congregation)
1. O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Refrain
2. O come, O Wisdom from on high, who orders all things mightily; to us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go.
Refrain
Refrain
6. O come, O Dayspring, from on high, and cheer us by your drawing nigh; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Refrain
7. O come, Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind; O bid our sad divisions cease, and be for us the Prince of Peace.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanual shall come to thee, O Israel.
(Text from Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum, Cologne; 1710; music from a 15th-century French Processional)
Choir Hanacpachap Cussicuinin
Anonymous; attr. Juan Pérez Bocanegra (1631) (sung in Quechua)
Jonathan March ’23.5 , percussion Hans Kindstedt ’24, bass Jordan Ramos ’22.5 and Xander Bowles ’26 , guitar
Heaven’s joy! A thousand times we shall praise you. O tree bearing blessed fruit, long awaited by humankind, helper of the weak, hear our prayer!
Hear our pleas, column of ivory, Mother of God, beautiful lily, white, Receive this song we offer you, come to our assistance, show us the fruit of your womb.
• 4 •
Second Lesson
Isaiah 9:2, 6–7
Ryan Smith ’25 (4:00 p.m.) Letu Chibssa ’26 (7:00 p.m.)
Choir
Spasyenie Sodyelal
Pavel Chesnokov (1912) (sung in Russian)
Salvation is created in the midst of the earth. Alleluia. (Text from the Orthodox Liturgy, based on Psalm 74:12; music based on Kievan chant)
Third Lesson Isaiah 40:1–8
Erick Gong, Associate Professor of Economics (4:00 p.m.) Deb Evans, Associate Professor of American Studies (7:00 p.m.)
Choir Comfort, Comfort Now My People
Arr. Jeffrey Buettner (2021) Willow Galusha ’22.5, soloist Jonathan March ’23.5, percussion
“Comfort, comfort now my people, speak of peace,” thus says our God. “Comfort those who sit in darkness, mourning under sorrows’ load. Speak unto Jerusalem of the peace that waits for them; tell them that their sins I cover, and their warfare now is over.”
Hark, the herald’s voice is crying in the desert far and near, bidding all to true repentance since the Kingdom now is here. O that warning cry obey! Now prepare for God a way; let the valleys rise to meet him and the hills bow down to greet him.
O, make straight what long was crooked, make the rougher places plain; let your hearts be true and humble, as befits God’s holy reign. For the glory of the Lord now o’er earth is shed abroad, and all flesh shall see the token that God’s word is never broken.
(Words by Johann Olearius, 1671; music from Genevan Psalter, 1551)
• 5 •
Fourth Lesson
Isaiah 11:1–9
Caroline Crawford, Senior Writer for Communications and Marketing (4:00 p.m.) Elise Scott ’26 (7:00 p.m.)
*Carol: Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
1. Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse’s lineage coming as seers of old have sung. It came, a blossom bright, amid the cold of winter, When half spent was the night.
2. Isaiah ‘twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind, With Mary we behold it, the virgin mother kind. To show God’s love aright she bore to us a Savior When half spent was the night.
(15th century German text; trans. Theodore Baker; German traditional melody; harmony by Michael Praetorius; 1609)
Fifth Lesson Luke 1:26–33, 38
Pearl Akoto ’24 (4:00 p.m.) Annie Enrietto ’23 (7:00 p.m.)
*Carol: The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came (Choir and Congregation)
1. The angel Gabriel from heaven came, His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame; “All hail to thee, though lowly maiden Mary, Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!
2. “For know a blessed mother thou shalt be, All generations laud and honor thee, Thy Son shall be Emanuel, by seers foretold, Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!
3. Then gentle Mary humbly bowed her head, “To me be as it pleaseth God,” she said, “My soul shall laud and magnify God’s holy name.” Most highly favored lady, Gloria!
4. Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn, And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say, “Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!
(Basque carol)
• 6 •
Choir
Bogoroditse Dyevo
Sergei Rachmaninoff (1915) (sung in Russian)
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have born the saviour or our souls. (Orthodox Liturgy)
Sixth Lesson Luke 2:1–7
Sebastian Holbrook ’26 (4:00 p.m.) Tiffany Lee ’22.5 (7:00 p.m.)
Choir
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
John Gardner (1965) Blair Jia ’23 , conductor; Jonathan March ’23.5, percussion
Tomorrow shall be my dancing day; I would my true love did so chance To see the legend of my play, To call my true love to my dance;
Refrain (sung after each verse) Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love, This have I done for my true love.
Then was I born of a virgin pure, Of her I took fleshly substance Thus was I knit to man’s nature To call my true love to my dance.
In a manger laid, and wrapped I was So very poor, this was my chance Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass To call my true love to my dance.
Then afterwards baptized I was; The Holy Ghost on me did glance, My Father’s voice heard I from above, To call my true love to my dance.
(English Traditional Text)
• 7 •
Seventh Lesson
Luke 2:8–20
Madison Middleton ’22.5 (4:00 p.m.)
Afua Bonsu ’23 (7:00 p.m.)
*Carol: Angels We Have Heard On High (Choir and Congregation)
1. Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains, And the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis Deo!
2. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be, Which inspire your heavenly song? Gloria in excelsis Deo!
3. Come to Bethlehem and see Christ whose birth the angels sing; Come adore on bended knee, Christ, the Lord, the newborn King. Gloria in excelsis Deo!
4. See him in a manger laid, Whom the choirs of angels praise; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, While our hearts in love we raise. Gloria in excelsis Deo!
(French traditional carol)
Choir
Go Tell It on the Mountain Stacey V. Gibbs (2012)
Refrain (sung after each verse)
Go, tell it on the mountain, o’er the hills and ev’rywhere. Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born. (Brother won’t you go)
Go, tell it on the mountain, o’er the hills and ev’rywhere. Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born. When I was a seeker, I sought both night and day. I asked the Lord to help me, and He showed me the way.
They found a lowly manger, where humble Christ was born, And God sent our salvation that blessed Christmas morn.
Go, tell it on the mountain, o’er the hills and ev’rywhere. Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born, He is born, yes, Jesus Christ is born!
(traditional Christmas spiritual)
• 8 •
Eighth Lesson
Matthew 2:1-12
Mandy Berghela ’26 (4:00 p.m.) Matt Brockley ’23 (7:00 p.m.)
Choir
The Shepherd’s Carol Bob Chilcott (2000)
We stood on the hills, Lady, our day’s work done, watching the frosted meadows that winter had won. The evening was calm, Lady, the air so still, silence more lovely than music folded the hill.
There was a star, Lady, shone in the night, larger than Venus it was And bright, so bright. Oh, a voice from the sky, Lady, it seemed to us then telling of God being born in the world of men. And so we have come, Lady, our day’s work done, our love, our hopes, ourselves, we give to your son.
(Poetry by Clive Sansom)
Offering
The free-will offering received at these services will be directed to HOPE (Helping to Overcome Poverty’s Effects), Project Independence, and Addison County Home Health and Hospice.
Please be as generous as your means permit.
• 9 •
Choir
In the Bleak Midwinter
Gustav Holst (1906), arr. Mack Wilberg (2011) Rohini Prabhakar ’23 , conductor
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, In the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Our God, Heav’n cannot hold him, nor earth sustain; Heav’n and Earth shall flee away when he comes to reign: In the bleak mid-winter a stable place sufficed The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb; If I were a wise man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give him, give my heart.
Yet what I can I give him: give my heart, my heart.
(Words by Christina Rossetti, A Christmas Carol, 1872; music by Gustav Holst, Cranham, 1906) Collect Ninth Lesson
1. Silent night! Holy night! 2. Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright, Shepherds quake at the sight, Round yon virgin mother and Child! Glories stream from heaven afar, Holy infant, so tender and mild, Heavenly hosts sing: “Alleluia;
John 1:1–5, 9–14 Mark R. Orten (4:00 and 7:00 p.m.) *Carol Silent Night! Holy Night! (Choir and Congregation)
• 10 •
Sleep in heavenly peace, Christ the Savior is born, Sleep in heavenly peace. Christ the Savior is born.”
3. Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light Radiant beams from thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
*Benediction
*Recessional Hymn
O Come, All Ye Faithful (Choir and
Congregation)
1. O come, all ye faithful, 2. See how the shepherds, Joyful and triumphant, Summoned to his cradle, O come ye, O come ye to Leaving their flocks draw nigh to Bethlehem; gaze; Come and behold him, We too will thither, Born the King of Angels; Bend our joyful footsteps; Refrain Refrain
3. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, 4. Sing, choirs of angels, Born that happy morning, Sing in exultation, Jesus, to thee be all glory giv’n. Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; Word of the Father, Glory to God Now in flesh appearing. In the highest; Refrain Refrain
Refrain
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
(Words attr. Frederick Oakeley; melody by J. F. Wade; setting by David Willcocks)
Postlude
Toccata on “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” Diane Bish (1994)
• 11 •
PROGRAM NOTE
It has been three years since the Middlebury College Choir last performed Lessons and Carols in Middlebury Chapel—all the way back in December 2019, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the US. In 2020, we recorded performances for a virtual Lessons and Carols service. Last year, Lessons and Carols was canceled suddenly due to a COVID outbreak on campus, so all of the music was never performed. The only current students who have experienced Lessons and Carols before are now seniors, making the tradition brand new for most of the choir. Surely this is a unique situation in the 50+ year history of Lessons & Carols at Middlebury College! The energy building up to these services has been palpable at our rehearsals over the past few weeks. We cannot wait to share this mixture of traditional carols and new music with you!
Because it has been such a long while since we have held this service in person, we decided to bring back many Lessons & Carols favorites from previous years. These include Bob Chilcott’s The Shepherd’s Carol, John Gardner’s Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, and two pieces sung in Russian: Chesnokov’s Spaseniye Sodyelal and Rachmaninoff’s Bogoroditse Dyevo. College Choir alumni will join us on several of these classic songs.
We have included several new compositions and arrangements from contemporary composers. After the traditional processional, Once In Royal David’s City, the choir offers Hidden in the grey, bending sky, a new composition by Stacey Philipps, based on a poem by Leone Kelley. This piece captures the anticipation, wonder, and magic of a grey day before a snowfall. It evokes images of the Earth as a small part of the larger universe through overtone singing, the Virgin Mary as a white rose through text painting, and snowfall through an extended section of choral aleatory, where the singers freely sing descending phrases in their own tempi.
We also offer new arrangements of three classic carols: Go Tell it on the Mountain, arr. Stacey Gibbs, In the Bleak Midwinter, arr. Mack Wilberg, and Comfort, Comfort Now My People, arr. Jeffrey Buettner. Gibbs’ arrangement takes the exuberance of the original spiritual and creates an exciting texture of overlapping rhythms, call and response, and rich harmonies. Wilberg’s arrangement creates a slightly darker tone for In the Bleak Midwinter, with
dissonant chromatic lines in the alto and tenor parts. The organ part underpins the piece with a lush and creative harmonization, which lets the voices of the choir shine in unison. Lastly, Buettner’s arrangement of Comfort, Comfort features unison choral singing above a lively and inventive organ part that drives the piece forward and allows the voices to sparkle.
We hope that tonight’s music helps you recall fond memories of past Lessons and Carols services, while also offering some new perspectives on Christmas from living composers. Most of all, we hope that you enjoy this time singing together in beloved community.
Lessons and Carols 2022 Music Personnel
Ronnie Romano ’20
Interim Director, College Choir and Lecturer in Music Conductor, Organist
Blair Jia ’23 and Rohini Prabhakar ’23 Student Conductors
Jonathan March ’23.5 Percussion
Middlebury College Choir
SOPRANO
Naomi Clark ’24 Jordy Kramarsky ’23
Madison Middleton ’22.5
Daniela Ortiz ’25.5 Rohini Prabhakar ’23 Chelsea Robinson ’26 Katie Rosa ’24.5 Kendall Schilling ’25
ALTO
Victoria Andrews ’23
Phoebe Davis ’24.5 Lydia LaBelle ’24.5 Peyton Mader ’24 Abby Nix ’23 Francis Shiner ’23 Samantha Solomon ’25
TENOR
Xander Bowles ’26 Joye Gilbert ’22.5 Davis Guyton ’25 Sophia Immorlica ’24 Blair Jia ’23 Jordan Ramos ’22.5 Peter Shellhaas ’26
BASS
Sam Ehrsam ’23 Kai Fukuda ’23.5 Willow Galusha ’22.5 Sebastian Holbrook ’26 Matthew Johnson ’24.5 Aakhut Khepra ’26 Hans Kindstedt ’24 Colin Lyman ’23 Ian Nolon ’24.5 Max Stein ’25
For more details about Lessons and Carols, please go to our website at middlebury.edu/academics/music/middleburylessonsandcarols
Office of the Chaplain
Charles P. Scott Center for Spiritual and Religious Life 46 South Street, Middlebury, VT 802-443-5626 | middlebury.edu/studentlife/services/chaplain
• 16 •
