Christmas Worship Services at Perkins: December 2, 2010

Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University presents this year’s Christmas worship services on Thursday, December 2, 2010 at 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. in Perkins Chapel. Musicians for the service include the Seminary Singers, directed by C. Michael Hawn, University Distinguished Professor of Church Music and director of the Sacred Music Program at Perkins School of Theology, and SMU’s Meadows Chorale, directed by Pamela Elrod, director of Choral Activities, Meadows School of the Arts. Christopher S. Anderson, Associate Professor of Sacred Music, will serve as the organist for these services.

Guest instrumentalists including a marimba ensemble, percussion, and trumpets will join the singers in presenting music by Bernstein, Britten, Hogan and Bach as well as composers from Argentina, Taiwan, Israel, Palestine, and Zimbabwe.

The popular annual service, prepared by Professor Hawn in collaboration with Meadows School of the Arts since 1992, will vary from the traditional Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. “This year’s services offer a tapestry of song and prayer on the theme ‘and on earth peace...’ with selections from around the world,” according to Professor Hawn. Hawn notes that three of the four canticles from the book of Luke mention peace. “Drawing especially from the Canticles of Zechariah (Luke 1:68-79) and of the Angels (Luke 2:14),” Hawn adds, “the choral and congregational song will view the Advent season through various perspectives on peace.”