Christmas Vespers: The Beginning of a New Wilson Choir

Christmas Vespers, a Wilson tradition, allows the community to come together the Sunday before finals week and worship the birth of Christ. People enjoy the early Christmas celebration within Thompson Hall’s Alumnae Chapel on Wilson Campus. The Wilson College Choir and Hand Bell Choir perform at the service.

This year’s Christmas Vespers service starts at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. After the service, everyone can enjoy refreshments in Lenfest Commons and watch the “Hospice of Lights” ceremony. The “Hospice of Lights,” hosted by Lutheran Social Services and Wilson College, finishes off the celebration around 6 p.m.

The choir will perform at Christmas Vespers under the direction of Elizabeth Thorpe, Science Program Assistant, for the last time. Having worked with the Wilson Choir for three and a half years, Thorpe states that she will miss working with the students the most. “The students have brought much joy to my life over the past several years.” Students enjoyed time with Thorpe, whether passing each other in the hall, stopping by Thorpe’s office or expressing their joys with her.

Thorpe holds a full-time job at Wilson as well as a responsibility at the Chambersburg Church of Brethren and no longer wants to juggle her responsibilities. “This was a difficult decision to make, but I believe it is the right decision for me at this time.” For this reason, a new choir director will be taking her place.

At this time, the Fine Arts department has not acquired a new choir director. “I have full confidence in the Fine Arts department to find a wonderful replacement,” says Thorpe. She has agreed to work with the new director as needed, and the Wilson choir welcomes the new director with open arms. Choir rehearsals are held every Tuesday and Thursday from 11a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in Lortz Hall.

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