Roueche Chorale offers Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols over two nights

Over 17 years, the Roueche Chorale's Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols has become one of the city's most popular Christmas concerts of sacred music, outgrowing one performance into two services and changing venues several times to accommodate its crowds.

The chorale will present its 18th annual Lessons and Carols tonight and Friday night, Dec. 8-9, in services held in First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The 61-voice community choir will be accompanied by a 26-piece orchestra and organist Bruce Clark.

The program uses passages of Scripture entwined with Advent and Christmas music to tell the story of the birth of Jesus. Mary Lynn Wilson, chorale member and spokeswoman, says Scripture readers for the two services will be Jim Stover, Sheri Fava, Marcia Kling, Ed Reeves, Joy Dobosh, Brian Gabor, Paul Martin, Raleigh Cooper and Renee Griffin.

Concert numbers, and soloists featured on them, include "Processional Alleluia," with altos Ruth Gonter and Tammy Poplin; "Kyrie," baritone Duane Pontak; "Gloria," soprano Jenny Maynard and tenor Stephen Streett; and "The Call," bass Mike Mingle.

Also, "He Shall Feed His Flock," soprano Nancy Dryden; "The Angel Gabriel," soprano Alicia Church; and "The Present," alto Christina Malone. First-grader Faith Criswell from Dalton, Ga., will be the featured soloist in "Silent Night."

Wilson says other concert numbers will be "Welcome, Christ the King," and an audience favorite, "The Majesty and Glory of Your Name."

"The audience will have the opportunity to participate in the beautiful candlelighting ceremony during the program and will also be invited to join the chorale in singing a medley of Christmas carols," says Wilson.

First-time concertgoers should be advised this concert draws a large audience. Arrive early for good seats. Parking is available on-site.

The concert is free, but donations are accepted to help the chorale fund future programs.