A Procession of Advent Lessons & Carols

Hear the powerful story of salvation -- from Bible readings, choral anthems and hymns -- that moves us from darkness to light, Advent to Christmas. Music leaders include Holy Trinity vocal and instrumental ensembles, Firestone CLC Madrigal Singers and artists-in-residence Les Délices. 

Members of Holy Trinity's Handbell Choir, Drum Circle, and Trinity Choir proclaim God's good news of salvation in moving anthems and hymns. These ensembles maintain a meaningful ministry in our Sunday worship services, available in-person and online.

The Madrigal Singers are one of six choral ensembles offered at the Akron School of the Arts at Firestone High School, part of the Akron Public School system. This group consists of advanced singers who excel in sight-reading, vocal technique and musicianship, regularly performing professional level sacred and secular music. They are chosen based on rigorous audition and academic/character references, and perform all a’ cappella literature without an adult director. The Madrigal Singers have represented Akron at local, state and national level professional conferences as well as countless private functions, including weddings and funerals. All students are also members of the Symphonic Choir, the school's largest and most advanced choir. Many also take advantage of other choral and performance opportunities throughout the school.

Artists-in-Residence Les Délices shares selections from their forthcoming online concert Noel, Noel*, which is available at their website from Dec 10-23. Les Délices (pronounced Lay day-lease) explores the dramatic potential and emotional resonance of long-forgotten music. Founded by baroque oboist Debra Nagy in 2009, Les Délices has established a reputation for their unique programs, which have been called “a beguiling experience” by the Cleveland Plain Dealer and "journeys of discovery” by The New York Times.  Les Délices’ all-virtual 2020-21 season kicked off in October with Bewitched, which “raises the bar for streaming events,” according to Schmopera.com and which ClevelandClassical.com said “can be summed up in one word: sensational.” Selections from Les Délices’ next concert, Noel, Noel, are featured in HTLC’s Procession of Advent Lessons & Carols. The full concert will be available online from Dec. 10-23. Tickets can be purchased at lesdelices.org.

* Noel, Noel will blend heartfelt carols with both classic and contemporary poetry read by longtime Cleveland radio and TV host Dee Perry to create an alternative Lessons and Carols experience. Les Délices’ original arrangements of carols from French, English, and German traditions will be interleaved with poems by Christina Rossetti, e.e. Cummings, and Thomas Campion, plus wonderful recent work by Northeast Ohio poets Dave Lucas, Diane Kendig, and Julie Warther.

THE PROGRAM (Available to stream on-demand for one week following its premiere on December 4.)

Prelude: Chad Pittman, organist

Greeting & announcements: Pr. David Nevergall

   FCLC Vocal Solo: Lost in the Night

   HTLC Hymn: Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah

Prayer: Pr. David Nevergall

First Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7

   FCLC Anthem: O Radiant Dawn – James MacMillen

Second Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11

   Handbell Anthem: People, Look East – arr. Linda Lamb

   HTLC Anthem: Comfort, Comfort – arr. John Ferguson

Third Reading: Luke 12:35-40

   HTLC Anthem: Keep Your Lamps! – Spiritual, arr. Andre Thomas

Fourth Reading: Luke 1:26-38

   HTLC Anthem: Maria Walks Amid the Thorn – Hugo Distler

   Les Délices: Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming

Fifth Reading: Micah 5:2-4

   Handbell Anthem: Joy to the World – arr. Patricia A. Sanders

   Les Délices: Coventry Carol

Sixth Reading: Luke 2:8-20

   HTLC Hymn: Angels, We Have Heard on High

Seventh Reading:  John 1:1-14

   FCLC Hymn: Silent Night, Holy Night!

   FCLC Anthem: O Magnum Mysterium – Morten Lauridsen

Prayer & Blessing: Pr. David Nevergall

   Les Délices: Good Christian Friends, Rejoice

Postlude: Chad Pittman, organist