Virtual Lessons and Carols set Wednesday night

A beloved 19th-century holiday tradition is going virtual.

Separated this season by the pandemic and unable to present the community “Lessons and Carols” concert live, a group of DePauw music alumni have come together to help us carry on this Christmas tradition as this week’s Greencastle Virtual Music Festival event.

The program debuts 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9 with a live “watch party” on Zoom at http:gvmf.live, and can be viewed any time starting then at greencastlemusic.org or facebook.com/greencastlevirtualmusic.

“We’re doing everything we can to help people celebrate the holidays and connect with each other even as we are physically isolated while we wait out the pandemic,” Eric Edberg, the DePauw emeritus music professor who organizes the virtual concerts, said. “While each week’s program can be watched on your own at any time once it debuts, a growing community is connecting with each other on Zoom to watch together and talk with the performers and each other after. It’s the closest thing to being together in person that we have been able to create. And wow -- I’m blown away by what these School of Music alumni are doing for us this week.”

Candle-lit choral selections, directed by Blake Beckemeyer ’18, are interspersed with musical interludes by St. Andrew’s organist Albrecht von Gaudecker, and readings by Greencastle community members Sue Murray and Suzanne Hassler.

DePauw alumni musicians Shannon Barry ’18, Anna Louise Martin ’20, Simon Lee ‘20 and Will Upham ’20 join University Chaplain Beth Newton Watson, School of Music Dean Kay Hoke, faculty members Eric Schmidt, Orcenith Smith and pianist Amanda Hopson, and emeritus faculty members Caroline Smith and Eric Edberg for this multi-denominational Advent collaboration.

Upcoming programs include holiday traditions (including Hanukkah) from around the world on Dec. 16, a virtual Christmas cookie and caroling party on Dec. 23, and “Looking to the New Year” with Cathie Malach and Friends on Dec. 30.

The Greencastle Virtual Music Festival programs are made possible by the Greencastle Summer Music Festival family of donors and the GSMF endowment at the Putnam County Community Foundation, the Putnam County Convention and Visitor Bureau, the DePauw Performing Arts Series, and the Inn at DePauw. Contributions can be made at greencastlemusic.org/donate.