FREDONIA, N.Y. — December 1, 2008 — The SUNY Fredonia Women’s Choir will be performing the 22nd annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Saturday, Dec. 13 at the First United Methodist Church of Fredonia at 8 p.m.
This beloved holiday tradition will combine readings and musical portrayals of the story of Christmas. There is no fee for the event, but freewill offerings to the First United Methodist Church of Fredonia are welcomed. All students, faculty and staff are invited to attend, as are area community members.
The SUNY Fredonia Women’s Choir will be conducted by Gwen Coleman Detwiler, assistant professor of voice within the School of Music. A guest ensemble, the Fredonia Children’s Choir, will be conducted by School of Music adjunct voice lecturer Laurie Tramuta, who will speak at the event as well. Other speakers include SUNY Fredonia President Dennis Hefner, School of Music Director Karl Boelter, and Assistant Professor of piano, Father Sean Duggan. Joining them will be Thomas Barresi, representing the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce. Father Duggan will also play the organ while SUNY Fredonia’s I-Fei Chen-Markham will play the piano.
The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols began in 1918 at the Church of England, marking the beginning of Christmas through nine Bible readings. The SUNY Fredonia performance is based on a service presented at King’s College Cambridge in the United Kingdom, and features the works of celebrated composers such as George Handel, Felix Mendelssohn, and Franz Gruber.
