HLG holds traditional holiday ceremonies
By Beth Sowers
HLG Public Relations
Hannibal – The Christmas season holds many traditions for faculty, staff and students at Hannibal-LaGrange College (HLG). Some of the most memorable are those traditional ceremonies and events held on the campus of HLG.
The lobby of the Roland Fine Arts Center and Parker Theatre were decorated with the colors and symbols of Christmas as the college prepared for the annual Hanging of the Green ceremony held the first Sunday evening of advent. The public was invited to come and join the HLG family as they officially ushered in the holiday season with caroling, responsive readings, special Christmas music, hanging of the green, and a devotion on the symbols of the season. HLG student organizations sponsor and decorate a wreath representing their organization. The decorated wreaths, carried by each organization representative, are carried in procession throughout the Parker Theatre and then placed for display throughout the Christmas season.
Immediately following the Hanging of the Green ceremony, guests processed by candlelight to the Burt Administration Building and gathered at the arch for the Lighting of the Star ceremony. The community as well as faculty, staff and students took part in this meaningful campus Christmas tradition. The brass ensemble provided music, carols were sung, and Dr. and Mrs. Woodrow Burt, president and first lady of HLG, read the Christmas story while students performed a live nativity scene. The evening came to a close with a reception for all guests held in the lobby of the Burt Administration Building.
The music department at Hannibal-LaGrange presented their annual Christmas Concert on Dec. 7. The concert featured the music department, including a string ensemble directed by John Ferguson; Concert Band, directed by David Corkern; Handbell Choir, directed by John Booth; and Concert Choir with guest soloist Amy Foreman, directed by Jane Griffen and accompanied by Karen Meade.
The Hannibal Children’s Choir, sponsored by Hannibal-LaGrange College and directed by Linda St. Juliana, held their traditional Christmas Concert on Dec. 10 in Parker Theatre of the Roland Fine Arts Center at HLG.
This year’s choir consists of 54 students from several different schools in the Hannibal school district. The choir sang a variety of music. A special addition this year was a combined selection with Hannibal High School Choral students, “African Noel.”
The Choir is in their 20th year as an educational outreach to enhance children’s musical experience, supplementing school and church choral training by focusing on the preparation and performance of age-appropriate music literature while having fun through games, exercises and performances.
The college also participated in the Hannibal community Trail of Lights display. The campgrounds of the Mark Twain Cave area was turned into a winter light show as visitors drove through the campgrounds and enjoyed the holiday displays. Hannibal-LaGrange College designed a 17 ft. x 17 ft. lighted display featuring the college icon (arch) of HLG including a nativity scene within the archway.