Christmas Service
In the late nineteenth century, a minister in Truro, Cornwall, UK, was concerned that many of his parishioners were spending Christmas Eve drinking in the public house. He devised a special service which he tought would appeal to them, and thus the first ever service of "Nine Lessons and Carols" took place on 24th December 1880. In 1918, the first Christmas after the Great War, the Dean of King's College, Cambridge, UK, adapted this service for the King's College Chapel, thus beginning a tradition which has endured ever since. The service has been broadcast by the BBC every year since 1931, and is relayed in many other countries of the world including the USA.
Woodstock has used this service format in previous years, but this year the new gym was available to host a larger-scale and spacious presentation, with over 170 staff and students participating in choirs, orchestra, band and as readers. The gym was transformed by cascades of hanging lights, a large screen showing classic artworks of the nativity and a host of candles.
The presentation was adapted and scripted by orchestra director Harvey Nicholson, with able support from the rest of the music department. The highlight of the evening for many was the High School choir's version of "Adam Lay Ybounden", with featured soloists Mark Williams and Grace Yu. The sound of a single voice filling the enormous space of the gym was eery and wonderful.
Following the service, the entire school and guests (including members of the Hindustani Church and leaders of other local congregations) enjoyed Christmas dinner at Alter Ridge, Edgehill and in the Quad Dining Room. At Edgehill, the Elementary residence, the evening ended with dancing around a bonfire.