This December, Jesuit High School Sacramento’s chamber choir will continue the decades-long tradition of hosting Lessons and Carols services. These performances are open to the whole Sacramento community and are a great way of getting into the Christmas spirit.

Choral Director Mr. David Vanderbout believes Lessons and Carols is a great teacher of what the Christmas season is truly about.

“A Lessons and Carols is a service made up of different carols of the season, intermixed and connected to different readings–whether they be from the Bible or poetry–that connect directly to the music that we do,” Mr. Vanderbout said. “The whole purpose is to use this connection between music and words to show the true meaning of this season, and what we’re to learn from it.”

Chamber choir member Ali Zaidi ’25 has seen the wonderful environment that Lessons and Carols provides, and is greatly anticipating this year’s service.

“It’s such a magical and peaceful experience that brings the choir closer together,” Ali said. “ The Chamber Singers create a warm and beautiful ambiance through music. I really enjoyed singing in Lessons and Carols last year and look forward to singing again this year.”

Nicholas Contreras ’24 has been a part of Lessons and Carols for three years and has seen how the event serves as a force for good in the community.

“To me, Lessons and Carols is a way to show my love and appreciation for those around me, and for God,” Nicholas said. “Standing up in front of everyone and singing, I remind myself that my voice is hopefully positively impacting all those sitting in the room. The event brings me closer to my fellow classmates in the choir and is a great showcase for our dedication and passion for singing.”

Mr. Vanderbout wants everyone in the community to be a part of the special experience that Lessons and Carols has to offer.

“I hope that all of our student body, our community, parents, family, will come and be a part of this wonderful tradition at Jesuit to see the wonderful work that our students are doing,” Mr. Vanderbout said. “This production will serve as that reminder of what this season’s about and what we can do to be a part of that.”

The Jesuit chamber choir will be hosting two Lessons and Carols services at 7 p.m. in the Phelan Chapel of the North American Martyrs: one on Monday, Dec. 3, and the other on Sunday, Dec. 4. There will be no entry fee, and everyone is welcome.