The carol sing and lighting will be webcast live.
November 30, 6:30 p.m.
What better way to kick off the Christmas season than with the illumination of 120,000 twinkling lights? Friends from the Greenville area are invited to join the student body for an outdoor carol sing in front of Rodeheaver Auditorium.
Parking is free. Traffic personnel will be on hand to direct traffic and parking.
Singing in the Christmas season
The carol sing will start at 6:30 p.m. as the University Singers and audience join in singing holiday classics, such as “12 Days of Christmas” and “Jingle Bells.” As the evening progresses, the songs will transition to sacred carols, the first being a lighting ceremony favorite: “O Holy Night.” “It’s hardly Christmas without it,” Dr. David Parker says. At the highest note in the song, the lights turn on and campus is transformed into a Christmas wonderland.
Students taking part
Dr. Parker is excited about the number of students with major roles in the ceremony this year. “We are involving more students than ever,” he says. “Three tenors will sing “O Holy Night.” One’s from Korea, one’s from Florida and one from here in Greenville.” There will also be solos by students from Canada and Arizona.
But taking part in the lighting ceremony isn’t limited to Greenville area. A live webcast of the event allows thousands of friends and family from all across the world to take part in this holiday tradition. “I envision all these people around the world huddled around their computers,” says Dr. Parker.
The real Reason for the season
One of the advantages of this Christmas tradition is that it brings the university family and community closer together. “Whether it’s a Bruins soccer game or the Lighting Ceremony, it’s a time for the university to come together and enjoy one another,” Dr. Parker says.
But this coming together flows from a deeper purpose. The lighting ceremony is a way to testify to the goodness of our God in sending His Son into the world. “We’re trying to have a great time,” Dr. Parker says. “But we’re also showing to the world that our Christian life is a life of joy in the fun that we have and in seriousness when we sing. There’s real heart and real knowledge of Who we’re actually singing about.”
After the Lighting
Symphonic Wind Band Concert
The Symphonic Wind Band will be joined by flute virtuoso Tadeu Coelho for the world premiere of composer Jess Turner’s concertino for flute and wind ensemble. Seasonal favorites will also be featured.
Campus Store
The Campus Store will be hosting a shopping experience you will not want to miss! Stop by the store to enjoy live Christmas music, a book signing, and their best discounts of the season.