The University Choir of Sewanee is pleased to announce an outstanding year of services and concerts, featuring all your favorites alongside exceptional guest performances: four choral evensongs at All Saints’ Chapel plus one on the road in Nashville, the annual Festival Service of Lessons and Carols, a terrific choir from Doane University in Nebraska, and a solo recital by Olivier Latry, the internationally celebrated organist of Paris’ Notre-Dame Cathedral.

The Advent semester holds two choral evensongs: Sunday, Sept. 27, and Sunday, Nov. 1. Both are at 4 p.m., in All Saints’ Chapel. The choir will conclude the Advent semester with the nationally-recognized Festival Service of Lessons and Carols. The first service, Saturday, Dec. 5, at 4 p.m., features reserved seating. Tickets will be made available to students and employees of the University during the first week of November. The other two services, Saturday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 6, at 4 p.m., feature walk-up seating. Doors will open an hour in advance of each service, and overflow seating will be provided as needed. Doors close 15 minutes before each service. Please note that large bags or backpacks will not be allowed in All Saints’ Chapel. This poignant musical Advent service attracts attendees from around the country. Plan to arrive early enough to enjoy hot cocoa on the quad and allow ample time for seating.

The Easter semester will begin with the Doane University Choir in concert on Tuesday, Jan. 19, at 7 p.m. The first evensong of the semester will be Thursday, Feb. 18, at 6 p.m., followed closely by a joint evensong with the choirs of St. George’s Episcopal Church on Sunday, Feb. 21, at 5 pm. Held at St. George’s Church, 4715 Harding Pike in Nashville, this is a unique opportunity to hear the University Choir on the road. Lent and Holy Week worship services also provide exceptional opportunities to hear the choir: Ash Wednesday, Feb. 10; Palm Sunday, March 21; Maundy Thursday, March 25; Easter Vigil, March 27; and Easter Sunday, March 28. The choir will conclude the year with a choral evensong on Tuesday, April 27, at 5:15 p.m.

On Friday, Feb. 26, at 7:30 p.m., the University Choir and All Saints’ Chapel proudly present a solo recital by the acclaimed French organist Olivier Latry performing on the mighty Casavant organ. Established as a leading worldwide ambassador for his instrument, Latry has performed in the world’s most prestigious venues, been the guest of top orchestras throughout the world, recorded for major labels and premiered an impressive number of works. Named titular organist at Notre-Dame in Paris at the age of 23 and organist emeritus at the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal since 2012, Latry is an accomplished, thoughtful and adventurous musician, exploring all possible fields of the organ music, with an exceptional talent as an improviser. Tickets for Mr. Latry’s concert are available at <olivierlatryatsewanee.eventbrite.com>, with all proceeds benefiting the University Choir.

Apart from the choral evensong in Nashville, all services and concerts will take place at All Saints’ Chapel on Sewanee’s campus. All Saints’ Chapel has a ground level entry on the east side of the chapel to welcome and provide access for guests with a wide range of mobility needs. All events are free and open to the public except for the Olivier Latry organ recital. Please note that staff, faculty, and students of Sewanee receive one free ticket with Sewanee ID. Sewanee ID tickets should be picked up at the All Saints’ Chapel office, not purchased through Eventbrite. Students from other schools also receive free entrance on the day of the concert with their school ID.

The University Choir comprises more than 60 dedicated undergraduates from diverse backgrounds, majors, and interests, under the direction of Dr. Geoffrey Harris Ward, University Organist and Choirmaster, and accompanied by Stephanie Yoder, Assistant Organist. In addition to high-profile university ceremonies and services, the choir sings regularly at the 11 a.m. Sunday worship service in All Saints’ Chapel. To follow the University Choir’s performances and activities, please visit our website at <sewanee.edu/universitychoir> or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube @SewaneeChoir.