A Festival of Lessons & Carols is more than the opportunity to hear great FPU music ensembles celebrate Christmas—it’s a chance to join right in!
The service, presented by the music department, will be at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Sunday, November 20, 2016, in First Presbyterian Church, 1540 M Street, Fresno. The program features Bible readings and university music ensembles including the Concert Choir, Women’s Chorale, Crosswind vocal/instrumental troupe, Pacific Brass, the Pacific Bronze hand bell group and a string trio.
There are also four congregational carols: “What Child is This?,” “Away in a Manger,” “The First Noel” and “Silent Night.” Tickets are $10 for general audiences and $5 for students high school and younger. Proceeds benefit the FPU music program. Reservations are encouraged, and may be made on online at fpu.edu/lessons-carols. For more information, call 559-453-2267 or email music@fresno.edu.
The foundation of Lessons & Carols is a Church of England service alternating Bible readings on the birth of Christ with musical selections. It was first performed in 1918 at King’s College, Cambridge University, and adapted from an order by E.W. Benson, later Archbishop of Canterbury.
Ensembles are directed by Bethany Lynn Alvey, D.M.A., FPU director of choral activities (choirs); Erik Leung, director of bands and music program director (Pacific Brass); Patricia Cota, M.A., adjunct instructor (Pacific Bronze); and Melita Mudri-Zubacz, M.A., M.M., adjunct music faculty (Crosswind). Walter Saul, D.M.A., professor of music, will play organ, and Matthew Horton, choral accompanist, will play piano.
For information on all FPU music and other events, check fresno.edu/events.