A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols 2024
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Additional event and program information may be found online at schwartz.emory.edu and music.emory.edu.
Program design by Bebe Rogers
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Emory University Chorus and Emory Concert Choir
Jon Easter, director with Greg Matteson, piano
Käthe Wright Kaufman, organ Brass Ensemble
Glenn Memorial Auditorium
Friday, December 6, 2024, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 7, 2024, 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Program
Because this is a sacred program, we request that there be no applause.
The Prelude
Prelude on The Holly and the Ivy Herbert Sumsion (1899–1995)
The Processional Carol
(Congregation, please stand and join in singing verse six.)
Once in Royal David’s City Irby vv. 1–5 arr. A. H. Mann v. 6 arr. Sir David Willcocks
Verse Six: 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.
Greta Franke, soprano (Friday evening)
Ally Mandell, alto (Saturday afternoon)
Alexa Schwartz, soprano (Saturday evening)
The Bidding Prayer
Readers: Rev. Mark Westmoreland (Friday evening)
Rev. Lyn Pace (Saturday afternoon)
Rev. Maddie Henderson Herlong (Saturday evening)
The Invitatory
“Break Forth, O Beauteous Johann Sebastian Bach Heavenly Light” from Christmas Oratorio (1685–1750)
The First Lesson
God declares in the Garden of Eden that the offspring of Woman shall bruise the Serpent’s Head—Genesis 3:8–15
Readers: Emma Shibley (Friday evening)
Daniel Bell (Saturday afternoon)
Alex Isakov (Saturday evening)
People, Look East arr. Malcom Archer
Adam Lay Ybounden Carson Cooman (b. 1982)
The Second Lesson
God promises to faithful Abraham that by his Offspring, the Nations of the Earth shall be Blessed—Genesis 22:15–18
Readers: Jon Easter (Friday evening)
Lucienne Scully (Saturday afternoon)
Eric Albanese (Saturday evening)
Magnificat in G Charles V. Stanford (1852–1924)
Alexa Schwartz, soprano
TTT
The Third Lesson
The Darkness is dispelled by the coming of the Light—Isaiah 60:1–5
Readers: Kristin Wendland (Friday evening)
Meredith Schweig (Saturday afternoon)
Jordan Averett (Saturday evening)
Lux Aurumque Eric Whitacre (b. 1970)
Light, warm and heavy as pure gold and angels sing softly to the new-born babe.
TTT
The Fourth Lesson
The Angel Gabriel visits the Virgin Mary—Luke 1:26–33, 38
Readers: Patricia Dinkins-Matthews (Friday evening)
Tracy McGill (Saturday afternoon)
Heidi Senungetuk (Saturday evening)
Ave Maria Anton Bruckner (1824–1896)
Holy Mary, Queen of Heaven, Gentle and holy, Mother of God: Pray for us sinners, That with the chosen we may see you.
Hail Mary, full of grace, The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
The Fifth Lesson
Isaiah foretells the coming of Peace on Earth—Isaiah 11:1, 3–4, 6–9
Readers: Michelle Y. Gordon (Friday evening)
Brooke Vore (Saturday afternoon)
Debra Vidali (Saturday evening)
Lo, How a Rose Michael Praetorius (1571–1621) arr. Howard Cable
The Sixth Lesson
Luke tells of the birth of Jesus—Luke 2:1–7
Readers: Sandra Descourtis (Friday evening)
Kristin D. Phillips (Saturday afternoon)
George Staib (Saturday evening)
The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy arr. Mack Wilberg
In Dulci Jubilo J.A.C. Redford (b. 1953)
Congregational Carol (Congregation, please stand.)
Joy to the World ANTIOCH
Verse One: Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let Earth receive her King; Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room, And heav’n and nature sing.
Verse Two: Joy to the Earth! The Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy.
Verse Three: No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found.
Verse Four: He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love.
The Seventh Lesson
The Shepherds go to the Manger—Luke 2:8–16
Readers: Rev. Gregory W. McGonigle (Friday evening) Arri Eisen (Saturday afternoon)
Patrick Allitt (Saturday evening)
Angels from the Realms of Glory arr. Stephen McNeff
The Shepherd’s Carol Bob Chilcott (b. 1955)
The Eighth Lesson
The Wise Men are led by the Star—Matthew 2:1–5, 7–11
Readers: Joanne Brzinski (Friday evening)
Barbara Krauthamer (Saturday afternoon)
Carol E. Henderson (Saturday evening)
Quem Pastores Laudavere
The One who the shepherds praised, And about whom the Angels told: ‘Abandon your present fears,’ The King of Glory is born.
To Him the Kings walked, Carrying gold, frankincense and myrrh, Offering them religiously, For the Lion’s victory.
Let us rejoice with Mary, In union with the Celestial Hierarchy, Singing a pious song to the Newborn, That be sweet in its melody.
Of Christ the King, God born, Who was given to us by Mary, We should sing the merit: Praise, honor and glory.
The First Noel arr. Mack Wilberg
The Ninth Lesson
(Congregation, please stand for lesson and carol.)
St. John unfolds the Great Mystery of the Incarnation—John 1:1–14
Readers: Jonathan Strom (Friday evening)
James W. Wagner (Saturday afternoon)
Don Saliers (Saturday evening)
James Bassi (b. 1961)
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Congregational Carol
ADESTE FIDELES
Descant, v. 2, arr. Sir David Willcocks
Descant, v. 3, arr. Alfred Calabrese
Verse One: O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;
Refrain: O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
Verse Two: Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above. Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
Refrain
Verse Three: Yea, Lord we greet Thee, born this happy morning. Jesus, to Thee be all glory given. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.
Refrain
The Collects for Christmas
Readers: Rev. Mark Westmoreland (Friday evening)
Rev. Lyn Pace (Saturday afternoon)
Rev. Maddie Henderson Herlong (Saturday evening)
The Recessional Carol (Congregation and Choirs)
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing MENDELSSOHN
Descant, arr. Sir David Willcocks
Verse One: Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled.” Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With the angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King.”
Verse Two: Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ the everlasting Lord; Late in time, behold Him come, Offspring of the virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail the Incarnate Deity! Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King.”
Verse Three: Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings, Mild He lays His glory by, Born that we no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King.”
The Benediction
Readers: Rev. Mark Westmoreland (Friday evening)
Rev. Lyn Pace (Saturday afternoon)
Rev. Maddie Henderson Herlong (Saturday evening)
The Choral Response
Still, Still, Still / Silent Night German traditional/Franz Gruber (1787–1863)
arr. John Purifoy and Ruth Schram
Emory Choirs
Under the direction of Dr. Eric Nelson, the Emory Choirs represent long–standing traditions in the Emory community, with performances including the annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, solo concerts including a variety of choral repertoire, masterworks with the symphony orchestra, and joint concerts with Emory’s a cappella groups. Jon Easter is serving as interim director of Choral Studies while Dr. Eric Nelson is on medical leave.
Emory Concert Choir
The Concert Choir is Emory’s select chamber choir. The singers in the ensemble come from across the country and around the world. All are students at the University with a wide variety of academic majors. The choir sings sacred and secular repertoire from the Middle Ages to the present, from chant to new commissions. The choir has sung at both the southern and national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association, an honor reserved for the nation’s finest choral ensembles. It has toured internationally and has sung at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, the Vatican in Rome, and the Alhambra in Seville.
Emory University Chorus
Open to all Emory students as well as to members of the Emory community, the University Chorus holds a unique place in Emory life. Music majors and nonmajors, undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff, parents and their children, workers and retirees, alumni and neighbors, all come together to rehearse each Monday evening, united by their common love of singing. The chorus regularly collaborates with the Emory University Symphony Orchestra to present major works, including the 2024 performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem.
TTT
Jon Easter, director
Jon Easter is celebrated for his moving expressivity and musical artistry across multiple instruments and as a conductor. He performs regularly with Emory’s Concert Choir and Atlanta Master Chorale, serving as both accompanist and assistant conductor. His expertise has also been showcased in performances with Atlanta Master Chorale at ACDA and AGO conventions at regional and national levels.
Throughout his career, Easter has held significant positions as organist and choir director at Saint Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal in Jacksonville, Florida, Roswell Presbyterian Church in Roswell, Georgia, and Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He now enjoys life as a sought-after substitute and interim organist, in high demand for his versatility and reliability. His commitment to musical excellence extends to solo and collaborative organ recitals across the southeast, where he consistently demonstrates both technical mastery and artistic expression.
His collaborations with renowned singers—including multiple recitals with Jamie Barton, featuring a recording of Lee Hoiby’s Bon Appétit! and participation in the Metropolitan Opera virtual Gala— further highlight his distinguished career. Easter’s recordings include several Atlanta Master Chorale CDs, the University of North Florida Chamber Singers, and Crossroads Trumpets: Masterworks for
Trumpet Ensemble. These contributions solidify his reputation as a dynamic and versatile musician, making significant impacts across various musical landscapes.
Easter holds an undergraduate degree in organ performance from Shorter College, where he studied with Peter Dewitt. He earned double master’s degrees in choral conducting and organ performance from Emory University under Eric Nelson and Timothy Albrecht. He also pursued additional conducting studies with Donald Nally and Martha Shaw, and organ studies with Bill Evans and Alan Morrison.
TTT
Greg Matteson, piano
Atlanta native and Emory alumni Greg Matteson is a collaborative pianist, music director, arranger/composer, and instructor. As a pianist, Matteson has accompanied many singers and choirs across the country including the Young New Yorkers Chorus, Young Peoples Chorus of NYC, and the Gwinnett Young Singers. In addition to his work at Emory, he works with the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Ballet, and Georgia State University as a collaborative pianist and vocal coach. Matteson is also an experienced music director, having led choirs as well as other ensembles, and he often conducts musicals from the piano. In recent years, he played and conducted Ride the Cyclone at the Alliance Theatre. When not performing, Matteson arranges, orchestrates, and composes for groups including a cappella ensembles, marching bands, and video game developers. His works have earned national awards including CASA’s Collaborative Recording Award in 2013. Matteson is also an instructor and vocal coach and teaches from his studio in North Ormewood Park.
Käthe Wright Kaufman, organ
Käthe Wright Kaufman is the Associate Director of Music and Worship Arts at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church and Chapel Organist at the Candler School of Theology, both on the campus of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Previously, she served as Organ Scholar at Peterborough Cathedral (2019–2020). Kaufman completed her Master’s degree as a student of David Higgs at the Eastman School of Music, where she also obtained her Bachelor of Music in 2016 after organ studies with William Porter and Edoardo Bellotti. Between the two degrees, Kaufman spent a gap year in Truro, United Kingdom, where she served as Organ Scholar at Truro Cathedral (2016–2017). Both a passionate church musician and an active recitalist, Kaufman has performed for the radio program Pipedreams Live!, and she has performed in venues around America and the United Kingdom. She has received several awards, including the Gerald Barnes Award for Excellence in Pipe Organ (2013), the inaugural VanDelinder Prizes in Liturgical Organ Skills (2014 and 2015), and first place in the West Chester University International Organ Competition (2015). Kaufman is an Associate of the American Guild of Organists and a published composer with Selah Publishing Company.
Soprano I
Emory Concert Choir
Jordan Averett | Braselton, GA | Business and Music
Greta Franke | Tower Lakes, IL | Environmental Science and Music
Tori Mooney | Chicago, IL | Political Science and Music
Alexa Schwartz | New York, NY | Business and Music
Soprano II
Grace Chen | Johns Creek, GA | Psychology
Aidan Kane | Brewster, MA | Business and Environmental Science
Ashwini Narayanan | Lincolnshire, IL | NBB and Music
Sejal Patel | Green Brook, NJ | Biology and Music
Rachel Warhaftig | Hingham, MA | Nursing
Alto I
Kaley Frye | Orlando, FL | Linguistics and Psychology
Ally Mandell | Bethesda, MD | Psychology
Yolanda Santana | West Palm Beach, FL | Business and Sociology
Dhwani Venkatarangan | Edison, NJ | QSS, Biology
Alto II
Isabella Colindres | Palm Coast, FL | Anthropology and Human Biology
Aine Devins | Houston, TX | Economics
Emma Farrer | Boston, MA | Music and Psychology
Siu-Lin Sampson | Baldwin, NY | Music
Ava Sandstrom | Pittsburgh, PA | Undeclared
Tenor I
Jamie Baker | Summerville, SC | PS and African-American Studies
Braden James | Brookfield, WI | Biology and Music
Jaiden Suddee | Clover, SC | Music and NBB
Tenor II
Julian Agudelo | Boynton Beach, FL | Business and Music
Edward Cao | Princeton, NJ | Undeclared
Alex Moss | Atlanta, GA | Political Science and History
Bass I
Austin Beale | Atlanta, GA | Computer Science and Economics
Will Eaglesham | Lexington, MA | Business and QSS
Declan Edwards | Irvine, CA | Biology and English
Neeraj Palnitkar | Johns Creek, GA | Economics and Human Health
Trey Peterson | Fayetteville, GA | Business
Bass II
Eric Albanese | South Deerfield, MA | Biology and Economics
Aidan Conley | Nashville, TN | Music and QSS
Kushal Daruwala | Pleasanton, CA | Computer Science and Economics
Wonjae Lee | Duluth, GA | Business
Carson Tomlinson | Columbus, GA | Music and Psychology
Musician names are followed by hometown and major course(s) of study. NBB: Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology
PS: Political Science, QSS: Quantitative Sciences
Emory University Chorus
Soprano
Abby Balson
Lexi Bancroft
Trinitee Dahn
Mariah DeRenzo
Camille Douglass
Alejandra Ferreira
Ariel Gale
Candy Gao
Shayne Goldstein
Vivien Huang
Elise Isakov
Audrey Isakov
Stephanie Lin
Morgan McNair
Naomi Newton
Lynn O’Neill
Elianna Paljug
Divya Pereira
Zoë Pollock
Anya Qin
Emma Rollins
Sonia Sathe Ryland
Karina Saldivar
Delia Savin
Elaine SeeToh
Arushi Sharma
Hlina Temesgen
Elena Vallis
Sarah Wiley
Serena Zhou
Alto
Carol Allums
Lydia Bearss
Alex Berman
Srinidhi Bharadwaj
Lily Clemente-Cong
Gloria Coble
Carter Douglas-Brown
Rebecca Follman
Emma Gile
Julia Green
Emily Griswold
Rita Helfand
Bryn Higdon
Anika Hofmeister
Audrey Howell
Alina Huang
Emory University Chorus
Alto (continued)
Mila Kocic
Arohi Majmudar
Julia Niles
Selene Percher
Rose Petta
Caroline Renner
Lynn Rogers
Abby Rollins
Emma K. Shibley
Mary Slaughter
Caroline Smith
Rosalind Staib
Catalina Varela
Louise Wilson
Jessie Zhu
Tenor
Pranav Anand
Charlie Byrne
Sahrudh Dharanendra
Michael Diebert
Anthony Gacasan
Chuck Hagel
Thane Henschel
Davis Husk
Andy James
Varun Karry
John Lin
Matthew C. Nails
Jack Nickles
Jonathan Owen
Aidan Park
Stephen Rogers
David Rogers
Bass
Jonathan Ackleh-Tingle
Deven Allen
Daniel Bell
Tom Carswell
Paul DeSandre
Joe Follman
Jordan Friedman
Paul Frysh
Alex Isakov
Dennis Jones
Fardeen Kawsar
Joseph Kim
Michael Lammons
Jeffrey Lin
George Lin Wu
Scott Matthews
Jacob Mercer
Geoffrey Middleton
Ed Morris
Tom Morris
Cade Nabors
Renard Sexton
Stephen Sexton
Michael Sorkin
James Steffen
Isaiah Swain
David Terry
Brass Ensemble
Yvonne Toll Schneider, trumpet
Clayton Chastain, trumpet
Jason Eklund, horn
Ed Nicholson, trombone
Bernard Flythe, tuba
Michael Cebulski, percussion
Concert Choir Officers and Coordinators
Julian Agudelo, Jordan Averett, Isabella Colindres, Kaley Frye, Sejal Patel, Trey Peterson, Carson Tomlinson
University Chorus Administrator
Samantha Frischling
Decorations for Glenn Auditorium
Alvin Moore 86C, Event Design Services
All Readers
w Eric Albanese 24C Graduate, Concert Choir President '23–'24
w Patrick Allitt Cahoon Family Professor of American History
w Jordan Averett Concert Choir President, Emory Class of 2025
s Joanne Brzinski Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, Emory College of Arts and Sciences
s Sandra Descourtis Assistant Teaching Professor in French
s Patricia Dinkins-Matthews Associate Teaching Professor of Piano, Music Theory, and Collaborative Piano; Chair of Performance Area
s Jon Easter Emory ‘13 and ‘15 Graduate, Interim Director of Choral Studies
u Arri Eisen Teaching Professor
s Michelle Y. Gordon Associate Teaching Professor of African American Studies, Director of Undergraduate Studies
w Carol E. Henderson Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion, Chief Diversity Officer, Adviser to the President
w Rev. Maddie Henderson Herlong Christian Chaplain at Emory University Office of Spiritual Life
u Barbara Krauthamer Dean of Emory College of Arts and Sciences
u Tracy McGill Teaching Professor of Chemistry
s Rev. Gregory W. McGonigle Dean of Religious Life and University Chaplain at Emory University
All Readers
u Rev. Lyn Pace Chaplain of Oxford College
u Kristin D. Phillips Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Anthropology
w Don Saliers Theologian-in-Residence at Candler School of Theology
u Meredith Schweig Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology
u Lucienne Scully 24C Graduate, Concert Choir President ‘23–’24
w Heidi Aklaseaq Senungetuk Assistant Teaching Professor in Music Studies
w George Staib Professor of Practice, Department of Theater and Dance
s Jonathan Strom Dean of Candler School of Theology
w Debra Vidali Associate Professor in Anthropology, Affiliated Faculty in Theater Studies, and Director of the Anthropology Theater Lab
u Brooke Vore Campus Minister at Emory’s Bread Coffeehouse
u James W. Wagner President Emeritus, Emory University
s Kristin Wendland Teaching Professor of Music
s Rev. Mark Westmoreland Senior Pastor, Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church
s Friday evening u Saturday afternoon w Saturday evening
Christmas Music Program History
Based on the traditional service at King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, England, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was drawn from sources ancient and modern by E. W. Benson, Bishop of Truro in 1880, and has been observed at Emory University since 1935.
Performance of Christmas music by an Emory University chorus has been a tradition since 1925, when it began under the guidance of legendary choral music director Malcolm H. Dewey. For six years the Glee Club presented its Christmas program at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Atlanta. After the completion of Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church, the Glee Club moved the program to the Emory campus in 1931 and adopted the Nine Lessons and Carols format for the service in 1935. Dewey remained as director until 1957.
In 1953 Emory College became coeducational, and this brought the first performance of the Women’s Chorale in 1955. The chorale joined in the Christmas service in 1960. William L. Lemonds became director of choral music in 1963 and introduced the singing of Once in Royal David’s City as the processional hymn. This has become one of many cherished traditions associated with the Christmas concert. Combining men’s and women’s voices since 1990, the University Chorus continues this long-standing Emory custom with its 98th service of Christmas music in 2024.
Upcoming Choral Events
We hope that you have enjoyed this evening’s presentation. Please join the Department of Music and Schwartz Center for Performing Arts for these upcoming choral events at the Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall.
Friday, December 13, 8:00 p.m., Saturday, December 14, 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, December 15, 4:00 p.m., Christmas with Atlanta Master Chorale, Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall, $42/$10 (all students), tickets required
Wednesday, February 26, 8:00 p.m., Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra and University Chorus, Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall, free
Friday, March 14, and Saturday, March 15, 8:00 p.m., Pathways, Atlanta Master Chorale, Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall, $42/$10 (all students), tickets required
Sunday, April 13, 7:00 p.m., Emory Concert Choir, Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall, free
Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26, 8:00 p.m., Emory University Symphony Orchestra and University Chorus, Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall, free
Friday, May 2, and Saturday, May 3, 8:00 p.m., An Evening with Mozart–Coronation Mass and Requiem, Atlanta Master Chorale, Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall, $42/$10 (all students), tickets required
Cover Artwork
Light of the World
The drawing depicts Joseph and Mary arriving late in Bethlehem with all of the inns fully occupied. They are tired and weary, anxious and fearful. Above them is the Natal Star, which casts its protective light over them. The Light of the World is the Christ Child that Mary is still carrying in her womb.
The original artwork is 8.5 x 11 inches and was created using crayons and paper sculpting.
About the Artist
John Stuart, pastor
Erin Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, Tennessee
John Stuart was born in Scotland and came to the United States with his family in 1995. He is a Presbyterian pastor at Erin Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Several years ago, Rev. Stuart discovered a new process of creating art images, which he calls “digital glass.” The process involves white paper, wax crayons, and a computer scanner.
Rev. Stuart draws all sorts of images from busy street scenes, lighthouses, Appalachian mills, and even classic cars. He also specializes in religious art drawings, especially during the seasons of Lent, Easter, Advent, and Christmas. His work has been used in churches throughout the world, and he is absolutely delighted to have his art adorn the cover for Emory’s annual Nine Lessons and Carols program.
Rev. Stuart’s current work can be found at stushieart.com.