Bishop’s St. Mark’s Chapel Choir to hold Carol Services this weekend

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Bishop’s University’s (BU) St. Mark’s Chapel Choir will be putting on its two annual Carol Services this weekend, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. Director Sarah Heath will conduct the 22-member choral group in a series of anthems peppered throughout many traditional Christmas carols that all attending may sing along to. The event will be candle-lit and feature a local trumpeter, Nicolas Leblanc, and the Chapel’s organ, played by BU’s organist Pam Eby.

In years past, only one Carol Service was held, but it was so popular that two rows of extra chairs had to be placed in the aisle. “It was a bit of a hazard,” Heath admitted. So, they decided to do it twice. Heath has been heading the service for 11 years and also ran it back when she was a student at BU.

These carol services have been put on within anyone’s living memory, Heath said, possibly for over 100 years. It’s form models Cambridge university’s “nine lessons and carols” service. Readings are accompanied by a thematically-related carol or anthem, starting from the Garden of Eden to the birth of Christ. BU students, staff, and community members make up the group doing readings. BU Chaplain Jesse Dymond will be presiding over the service, but there is no communion or homily, Heath noted, just song after glorious song.

The choir used to travel into Cookshire to put on a version of the service, but no more, Heath explained. “It’s too much for the students at the end of the semester.”

The choir’s ranks are filled mostly by students, with some community members to top it off. “It’s a very strong choir this year,” Heath insisted. They sing together every Sunday, but really look forward to the Carol Services every year. Preparation began in October.

Last year the chapel lost power during the service, so it was “very candle-lit”, said Heath with a chuckle. She hopes it will not happen again, because the organ runs on electricity. Trumpeter Leblanc has been joining them for many years, and is well-known on the local music scene, Heath said. The service will conclude with a trumpet/organ duet postlude.

BU Student Ava Bogyay, who is taking conducting lessons for credit, will conduct one of the anthems.

Parking will be free on campus for the events, and Heath suggests arriving early to get a good seat. The service is free, but there will be a time for a voluntary offering, the proceeds of which go towards supporting music at St. Mark’s.