KES Chapel Reflection, Week of 9 December
Light in Darkness
The Advent Christmas Services of Lessons & Carols brought us to the end of the Michaelmas term in fine fashion and led us into the last few days of classes and the beginning of exams which are another way of concluding the term! I am most grateful for the enthusiasm, commitment, and seriousness with which readers, singers, instrumentalists, servers, and students conducted themselves.
The Junior School Advent Christmas Service has a rather special quality and feel to it. The Grade Six class under the direction of Mr. Kevin Simonar performed an intriguing and sweet version of ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ by Tom Race, a contrast to the more familiar tune by Gustav Holst. Anne MacQuarrie played a lovely version of ‘Angels We Have Heard on High’ on violin. The students who read in a dignified and serious way the scripture readings were Ruby Wheelock, Vincent Armstrong, Laila Violante Munoz, Dami Adeniji, Sofia Ning, Drew Zettler, and Will Larder. The eighth lesson was read by Mrs. Taya Shield, the Director of the Junior School. Hand candles were lit for the ninth lesson, sung by the Chaplain, and for the singing of ‘Silent Night’. The servers were the wonderful cadre of Jacob Fines-Belcham, Kelsey Griffith, Ryan MacDougall, and Dulce Upton. The service ended with Mr. Pat LePoidevin and Chaz Faucher playing ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’ on bagpipes and leading the Junior School and Faculty out of the Chapel. A memorable event. Many thanks to Mr. Kevin Lakes for his help and assistance.
On Sunday night, the Grade 12s had their special Advent Christmas Service of Lessons & Carols, special because it is the last such service for them in their time at King’s-Edgehill School. Emma Toupe and the Choir, under the direction of Stephanie Fillman, contributed to the Matins’ Responsory of Palestrina which bracketed the entire service. The Choir played a leading role in the singing of the Carols and, especially, in the verses of the Veni Emmanuel which were interspersed among the readings. The Choir members were Maya Faucher, Lucy Goddard, Emma Toope, Dakota Bagshaw, Lennon Rutledge, Evey Kennedy, Jessica Etou, Hannah Stillwell and Gabby Strickey.