Festival of Lights taking place Sunday evening, Dec. 10

ASHLAND, Ohio – Ashland University’s 32nd annual Festival of Lights, a collaboration between the choral music program and the Office of Christian Ministry, is on Sunday, Dec. 10, at Jack and Deb Miller Chapel. The 7 p.m. candlelight service is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

The Festival of Lights marks Jesus Christ coming into the world and the story is communicated in verse and song. It will include scripture readings, traditional carols and seasonal choral music by the AU Choir, the AU Chamber Singers and the Ashland Area Chorus.

All three choruses are under the direction of Rowland Blackley, professor of music and director of choral activities at AU. The organists will be Luke Tegtmeier and Robert Mouledoux, and the liturgists will be AU President Carlos Campo and his wife, Karen.

Ten musical selections will be performed, ranging from original works to settings of carols by a variety of composers. They include “Resonet in Laudibus (Resound in Praises),” a 14th century Christmas carol, “E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come,” a 1953 motet adapted from text in the Book of Revelation, “A Virgin Unspotted” by 18th century American composer William Billings and “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly,” a traditional Polish Christmas carol.

Also, there will be familiar season offerings, such as “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” and the evening will conclude with a candle-lighting ceremony of “Silent Night.”

For more information, contact Rowland Blackley at 419-289-5114 or rblackle@ashland.edu.

Ashland University 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.