By Noah Kantner

Since 1973, the Middle School and Upper School boys of Collegiate have gathered together for the annual holiday tradition Lessons and Carols, one of the many important traditions at Collegiate that holds a rich history and means so much to the Collegiate community.

Collegiate’s Lessons and Carols service consists of the 5th Grade boys serving as choristers, singing in between the readings of the lessons. One boy from each Grade level, 6-12, reads a lesson. After all of the selected students from each grade have spoken, they are followed by a teacher—selected by that year’s Senior boys—and the current Head of School.

The opening to Lessons and Carols is a solo performance sung by a 5th Grade boy selected for the role. He sings the beginning of the hymn  “Once In Royal David’s City.” After the solo has concluded, the rest of the 5th Grade boys walk through the halls of the sanctuary while singing, making their way to the front of the stage.

The Christian tradition of Lessons and Carols dates back to 11th-century England, and during the early 20th century, it returned as a celebration of the end of World War I, as well as the holiday season. At Collegiate, former Middle School teacher David Martin introduced the service of readings and songs in 1973. 

Collegiate’s service has inevitably changed over the years as it made its way from 1973 to 2024. Upper School history teacher Brian Justice (‘85), who has helped conduct Lessons and Carols, recounted, “When I participated in it, all boys in Grades 5-12 prepared and practiced more for it, and the service was held at night at All Saints Church, so my memories are mainly of beautiful liturgy, music, and readings set in the mystical, candle-lit glow of Christmas.” Now the service is held during the day, usually at Second Baptist Church. This year’s Lessons and Carols, however, took place at 1 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9 at Derbyshire Baptist Church.

Although Lessons and Carols has been going on for such a long time and it has had some glimpses of change over the years, the service has primarily stayed the same. Brent Miller (‘98), an Upper School history teacher who has also helped conduct Lessons and Carol, said, “What’s most interesting to me is that the service for Lessons and Carols at Collegiate hasn’t changed much. The order of service we follow each year has remained the same, and to me, the familiarity and tradition of this service is important.” The consistency of Lessons and Carols is something that all of the students and faculty who participate in it can look forward to whenever the Christmas season arrives. Miller also said, “Lessons and Carols has become something predictable that many people look forward to each year, and it signifies the beginning of the holiday season.”

Even though Collegiate School is nondenominational and not affiliated with any religious group or sect, the school has traditional events that have been taking place for many years that are part of the Christian tradition. Collegiate’s official policy regarding religious services states: “Parents may choose to have their students participate in an alternative activity (primarily with a service learning focus) instead of participating in a worship service.” There is no requirement for students or parents of students to participate in Lessons and Carols, Pageant, or any other traditionally religious activities.

The 5th Grade boys are accompanied by the handbell choir, directed by Middle School music teacher Connie Tuttle. In recent years, there have also been performances by the male members of the Upper School choir, Voice Male, and the Upper School band. Directed by Middle School chorus teacher Ryan Blevins, the 5th Grade boys practice during the fall for the service, with significant time and preparation going into the music and performance. Miller stated, “My favorite part of Lessons and Carols is the music. Music has always been important to me, and I feel the music performed by the students is the most meaningful to me.”

One of the ways Lessons and Carols has changed over the years is how it is now primarily done by the 5th Grade, as they are the only grade that makes up the chorus. The 5th Grade boys chorus sings the carols and are the spotlight of the event. Justice said, “Now it is really done by the 5th Grade and the chorus, and it is in the daytime at Second Baptist Church, so it has a really different feel.” 

This year’s faculty speaker at Lesson and Carols, voted on by the Senior boys, was Upper School history teacher Shep Lewis. Lewis said, “I am honored to have been asked by the Senior boys to read at Lessons and Carols. The service brings together the boys from the Middle and Upper Schools, which we aren’t often able to do.” The opportunity for all of the Middle School and Upper School boys to gather is one of the reasons why this tradition is so significant and has been valued for decades.

All photos courtesy of Collegiate School.