One of the world’s best-known choral groups, millions of people worldwide tune into A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, as part of a Christmas Eve tradition. Broadcast by the BBC since 1928, the program is the longest established annual broadcast in history. The service has been broadcast in the United States by American Public Media since 1982. Additionally, Carol’s from King’s, a televised Christmas service also broadcast on Christmas Eve, celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2014.

“It is a great opportunity to have the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, visit our valley,” Craig Jessop, dean of the Utah State University Caine College of the Arts, said. “We are honored to bring this performance to the Cache Valley community as the choir’s international fame and reputation, enhanced by an extensive recording catalog, has led to invitations to perform around the world. ”
The choir is led by Stephen Cleobury, who has been director of music at King’s College, Cambridge, for more than 30 years. He has sought to enhance the reputation of the world famous choir, broadening its repertoire, commissioning new music and developing its activities in broadcasting, recording and touring. From 1995 to 2007, Cleobury was chief conductor of the BBC Singers and is now conductor laureate. Beyond Cambridge, he is in demand as a conductor, organist, adjudicator and leader of choral workshops.
The choir will also perform Thursday, March 30, at noon, at the Salt Lake City Tabernacle on Temple Square, featuring the Choral and Organ Scholars, and at 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City.
The performances are made possible by the Caine College of the Arts, Zions Bank, The Grand America Hotel, The Little America Hotel, Tanner Charitable Trust, Cathedral of the Madeleine, John Henderson and Paulette J. Campbell.
The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the CCA Box Office located in room L101 of the Chase Fine Arts Center on USU’s campus, call 435-797-8022 or go online to cca.usu.edu.