Happy Holidays!

St. Lawrence truly stands out from other colleges during the holiday seasons.  If you walk into the student center, you can see the gigantic christmas tree at the top of the stairs with paper cranes draped over the student center atrium, and we are in the midst of candle lighting for HANNUKAH! 

This past Friday and Saturday were the Laurentian concerts-one in the nearby town of Russell and one in Gunnison chapel on campus.  Since our tour this spring break will be in France (!!!!), we sang classical French pieces such as Il est ne le divin enfant (The Christ Child is Born) and a 53 page series of arias from French composer Charpontier.  In addition, we sang Christmas Time is Here as arranged by former Music Department Chair Norm Hessert, our Director Barry Torres' arrangement of The Christmas Song, White Christmas, and I'll be Home for Christmas, a song by J.K. Gannon CLASS OF 1924 ST. LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY!!! If you didn't know, the University still gets royalties to this day everytime that song plays on the radio. 

Tonight is one of the best traditions at St. Lawrence University: Candlelight Service!  Tonight, candles will be lit all around the chapel with each attendee having a lit candle as well.  The entire chapel, thus, is lit only by the natural light of candles.  It's a fun service because there are a ton of songs and readings that brings SLU and the Canton community together.  This year we are singing Il est ne le divin enfant with the SLU Community Children's Choir.  It is going to be a great show. 

I hope everyone is enjoying the wintery weather.  I know the Nordic Ski team is now that they don't have to roller ski on campus anymore.  Signing off from Payson!