Christmas celebrations are in full swing at Episcopal Collegiate School! They began in earnest shortly after students returned from the Thanksgiving Break. On November 28, Middle and Upper School students welcomed Advent with the dedication of a new wreath in memory of late Middle School Head, Mr. Hoyt Chip Parks.
As School Chaplain Father Rob Leacock said, "Advent is a time of hope and expectation." That feeling is certainly alive and well at Episcopal Collegiate, due in no small part to the holiday traditions that are enjoyed so much throughout the school in December. .
The Middle and Upper Schools gathered Dec. 2 for the traditional Lessons and Carols Chapel Service, which included readings of scripture, singing of carols, and amazing choir performances. The Episcopal Chorus performed a beautiful version of A Midwinter Carol with Orchestra Director Kiril Laskarov on violin. The Men's Glee Club performed an a cappella version of Of The Father's Love Begotten. Performances also included Rise Up Shepherd and Follow by the Faculty Choir, and O Little One Sweet and My Dancing Day by the Episcopal Concert Choir. Lessons and Carols can be viewed in its entirety on Livestream.
These events coincided with the National Honor Society Hat and Mitten Drive for St. Francis House Shelter. The Episcopal Collegiate community showed its characteristic enthusiasm and generosity in donating new and gently used winter outerwear for distribution to men, women, children, and seniors in need.
Seniors and their families gathered in the Upper School Simpson Commons for the Annual Senior Tree Trimming Luncheon. Students enjoyed listening to holiday music and decorating a 9 ft. noble fur tree with ornaments brought from home. Seniors were also given a custom school ornament with their name to adorn the senior tree.
A highlight of the holiday season at Episcopal Collegiate is always the Choirs and Orchestra Christmas Concert, which was held December 5 in the gorgeous sanctuary of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church. If you were not able to attend, portions of the concert and Lessons and Carols can be viewed in the video below.
Events in the Middle and Upper Schools have included an alumna Chapel performance of Handel's Messiah by Kelly Singer '12, a performance of contemporary Christmas music by the Women's Glee Club, and a Christmas Sing-a-Long.
Christmas at Episcopal Collegiate, 2016 from Episcopal Collegiate School on Vimeo.
Off-campus, Episcopal Collegiate students performed concerts for local hospitals. The Lower School Wildcat Chorale performed at Arkansas Children's Hospital, at UAMS, and the Arkansas State Capitol. The Steelcats, Episcopal's popular percussion ensemble, visited Arkansas Children's Hospital December 7 for a sing-a-long with patients, families, and visitors.
In Lower School, students have been busy decorating the Jesse Tree with ornaments made during Godly Play. Each grade level made an ornament with a symbol of a particular person from the Bible that students have studied the first semester. As students move from grade to grade, their ornament will change each year. These ornaments are a meaningful reminder of the Advent and Christmas Seasons at Episcopal Collegiate.
The Lower School is also busy rehearsing and preparing for the Annual Christmas Programs, which will be held on the following dates:
PK-1st Grade Christmas Program
Wednesday, December 14, 9 a.m. and Thursday, December 15, 9.a.m.
Aaron, the Allergic Shepherd
2nd-5th Grade Christmas Program
Wednesday, December 14, 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Miracle on Bethlehem Street
The Christmas Programs will be broadcast on Livestream and recorded versions will be available on Livestream soon after the live performances at this link: www.livesteam.com/ecswildcats.
Christmas celebrations will conclude with the National Honor Society Cookie Decorating in the Lower School on December 9 at 3:45 p.m. Lower School students in PreK-3 through 5th grades will enjoy a sing-a-long on Friday, December 16 at 10:30 a.m. in Erwin Hall. Lower School classroom parties will begin at 11:15 a.m. with dismissal at noon.