11/15/12 ASHLAND, Ohio – Ashland University will officially begin its observance of the holiday season with the 22nd annual Festival of Lights on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. in Ashland University’s Jack and Deb Miller Chapel, located at the intersection of King Road and College Avenue.
The candlelight service, which is free and open to the public, symbolizes Christ coming into the world. The story is communicated in verse and song. It will include Scripture readings, traditional carols and seasonal choral music by the Ashland University Choir and Women’s Chorus, and the Ashland Area Chorus. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
The Ashland University Choir and Ashland Area Chorus are under the direction of Dr. Rowland Blackley, director of choral activities and professor of music, while Marla Butke, associate professor of music, directs the Women’s Chorus.
Dr. Timothy Guenther, university organist, will play the organ, while Holly Allan will be pianist. Dr. Paul Chilcote, professor of historical theology and academic dean of Ashland Theological Seminary, and his wife, Janet, will serve as liturgists.
Musical selections will feature original works and settings of carols by a variety of composers including Mendelssohn, Poulenc, Pinkham, Willan, Hairston, Eleanor Daley and Wendell Whalum.
Sponsored by the Department of Music and the Center for Religious Life, the Festival of Lights will conclude with a traditional candle-lighting ceremony. Canned food for needy families of Ashland County will be collected at the event and donated to Associated Charities of Ashland.
Ashland University, ranked in the top 200 colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Report’s National Universities category for 2013, is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.
