A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Kings College (MPR Photo / Michael Barone)
Resources
- Download the 2012 service booklet
- Tell us what you think of this year's festival service
- About the King's College Choir
- History of the service
- King's College Chapel website
- The Chapel Foundation's website
- King's College Chapel Architectural Details
- King's College Chapel in 360 degrees
- In the queue at King's College
Hosted by Michael Barone, this is a live stereo music and spoken-word broadcast from the chapel of King's College in Cambridge, England. The 30-voice King's College Choir performs the legendary Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols service of Biblical readings and music at 9 a.m. Central /10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. (An encore broadcast takes place at 5 p.m. Central on Dec. 24.)
In 1918, the then-new dean of King's Chapel, 34-year-old Eric Milner-White, wanted to try something innovative and beyond the standard liturgy of the Church of England. So, he wove together scripture and song, called on readers of various ages from school and town, and made up this truly magical progression that carries us from prophecy to fulfillment, from Old Testament foretelling to a birthday celebration.
Enjoy Michael's conversations with King's College Chapel music director Stephen Cleobury and accompanist Parker Ramsay, the first American to occupy the role of Organ Scholar at King's.
Enjoy interview audio from King's College's choir director Stephen Cleobury and organ scholar Parker Ramsay (the first American to hold that position):
Stephen Cleobury interivew
Parker Ramsay interview
Support for this program comes from The Hognander Family Foundation.
