This week, the Upper School Chorus class performed their annual Christmas concert with the theme “A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.” 

The carols “Hodie Christus Natus Est” and “O Magnum Mysterium” originate from Latin roots, and the song “A La Nanita Nana” is a Spanish-themed carol. Along with these three songs, there are several carols with English roots, which include: “Night of Silence,” “Sussex Carol” and more.

Chorus teacher Audriana Johnson said that “the songs [outline] our need for a Savior and how Jesus was the one sent to be that Savior.” 

“I [was] most excited for the introspective, sacred space that Lessons and Carols [created] for all of us – the performers and the audience – to have the opportunity to focus on the wonder of Jesus as Emmanuel, God with us, in the midst of the busy Christmas season,” said Johnson. 

Junior chorus student Livia Shiroishi said that the yearly Christmas concert “always brings a great feeling of joy to share such beautiful music.” 

Shiroishi especially loved that the choir’s voices brought everyone together, and the concert is an event that she looks forward to each year. 

For several Chorus students this year, this was their last Christmas concert. Senior chorus student Asia Williams said that “Lessons and Carols will always be the most sentimental concert that we perform. Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Lessons and Carols.”