Student composes ‘Lessons and Carols’
Nov. 16, 2007
Student composes ‘Lessons and Carols’ LaGrange College Singers’ Director Debbie Ogle will admit that she’s more than a little fastidious about the music that is presented at each year’s “A Service of Nine Lessons and Carols” – and who can blame her? The event has grown into one of the area’s most highly anticipated annual performances.
So when senior Creative Music Technology major Chris Owenby told her that he’d like to take a crack at composing the whole service, Ogle was intrigued but cautious. She told Chris, “You write it, and I’ll see if I like it.”
With a green light to move ahead, Chris began the most ambitious project of his young career, and by the time he presented Ogle his progress several months later, she was impressed.
“Over the summer, he started showing me the work he had done, and it became clear to me pretty quickly that he was really on to something.”
What Chris was on to was an epic piece titled “Light of the World,” a choral music composition that follows Christ from birth all the way through his mission.
“It’s amazing what Chris has done,” Ogle said. “I have never seen an undergraduate do anything of this magnitude.”
Chris, who began writing music as a freshman in high school, said he realized going in that it would be a challenge to compose something the scope of “Light of the World,” but that he was counting on a little ethereal assistance.
Chris Owenby“I knew it was going to take the help of God to do this, but it was a tremendous opportunity that I couldn’t pass up,” he said.
The Cartersville native worked for eight months on the piece and only recently put in the finishing touches.
“I’ve been wrapping up the orchestration and sending the parts off,” he said.
And now that rehearsals are under way, Chris is finally getting to hear with his ears the choral music that has been swirling around in his mind for so many months. His work is coming to life.
“That’s one of the most fulfilling feelings I think that you can experience – it’s just unbelievable,” Chris said. “To go to the rehearsals each day and see the choir learning your music is just an incredible experience.”
This will mark the second occasion the Singers have performed Chris’ work. They sang his “Sing a New Song” during their Spring Concert and at graduation.
The work was well received. Ogle said of it, “It was just wonderful. The orchestration was great, and the choral music side of it was really great, as well.”
For the upcoming performance, Chris said that he hopes that the audience will be entertained and inspired.
“I want them to just be reminded that Jesus is the light of the world and that he is the true meaning of Christmas, and he is the most important thing in our lives. So I hope that people walk away with a new realization of that and a renewed joy for Christmas.”
“A Service of Nine Lessons and Carols” is free to the public and is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2, at Callaway Auditorium.
Celebrate the Servant begins Nov. 26
“A Service of Nine Lessons and Carols” will cap off the College’s annual observance of Celebrate the Servant, a weeklong schedule of events aimed at fostering a willingness to lead by serving others.
Highlights this year include the Monday, Nov. 26, presentation of the Servant-Leadership Awards, which are given to members of the community who embody the characteristics of servant-leadership. The presentations will take place in the Chapel at 7 p.m., and a reception will follow in Edmondson Parlor. This year’s honorees include LeeAnn Brooks, Oliver N. Greene Sr. and Madeline Sauter.
Also, that evening LaGrange students will spread some Christmas cheer by caroling at area nursing homes. Students wishing to participate are asked to gather at 5:45 p.m. on the Patio.
On Tuesday, Nov. 27, the Chapel also will host a Service of Thanksgiving to honor faculty, administrators and staff who received Service Year Awards this year. Afterward, a luncheon for the honorees and their families will follow in the Assembly Room.
The Sunny Gables Alumni House will be the site of the official Christmas tree lighting on Wednesday, Nov. 28, at 6:30 p.m. Later, at 7 p.m., the Art Student League will host a benefit in the Assembly Room.
Jonny Dubowsky, lead singer of rock band Jonny Lives! and founder of Rock’n Renew, will deliver the College’s Waights G. Henry Jr. Lecture at Callaway Auditorium on Thursday, Nov. 29, at 11:15 a.m. Dubowsky will talk about global warming and sustainability and will end his speech with a special acoustic performance.
Also on Thursday, students are invited to create Christmas cards for injured Georgia soldiers during lunch in the Dining Hall.
A volunteer soup kitchen will be set up at First United Methodist Church on Friday. The serving will start at 4 p.m. (time subject to change).
Finally, on Saturday, Dec. 1, the Panther Toy Store will open its doors for the seventh consecutive year, offering underprivileged families the opportunity to purchase Christmas presents for their children at greatly reduced prices.
