Mariama Nije
Mariama Nije
It’s Time! The 99th Annual Spelman-Morehouse Christmas Carol Is Back!
It’s Time! The 99th Annual Spelman-Morehouse Christmas Carol Is Back!
With the semester coming to an end, students wrapping up finals and preparing to go home for the holidays, Spelman and Morehouse College Glee Clubs uplifted our spirits with the 99th Annual Spelman-Morehouse Christmas Carol. Three performances in Kings and Sisters Chapel occurred on Dec. 6, 7 and 8. Students, alumnae and community members filled the chapel in hopes of seeing a breathtaking performance.
Interum President Roz Brewer welcomed the audience, reminiscing about sitting in the audience once as a Spelman student and now serving as our beloved Interim President. She also took the time to recognize our beloved organist, Dr. Joyce Johnson, who received a standing ovation as she walked the stage. Johnson opened the concert with a reflective organ prelude that set the tone for the evening, followed by a full processional as the Glee Clubs filled the aisles. The chapel’s holiday decorations, combined with simple but entrancing choreography, created an atmosphere of celebration.
Mariama Nije
For many Glee Club members, the meaning of this performance was tied closely to its nearly century-long legacy.
“This year marks the 99th annual Christmas Carol Concert which means for almost a century, the Spelman and Morehouse Glee Clubs have been building and carrying this tradition together,” Spelman College Glee Club President Rayne Stewart said. Stewart said audiences travel “from near and far” each year, fostering a strong sense of connection for the Glee Club members and community listeners.
Stewart dived into her role during the Christmas Carol season, which includes supporting members through long rehearsals, events and logistical tasks.
“There are countless moving parts, and none of us can do it alone,” she said. “My goal is to ensure that everyone feels supported, grounded, and valued during such an intense but rewarding time.”
For first-year Glee members, the experience involved both learning the pieces and adjusting to the season's pace. Charity Dent, a sophomore and soloist for “We Are Christmas,” said the preparation was demanding but meaningful.
“Leaning on your sisters is the biggest thing,” Dent said. “It’s not a solo battle. It’s definitely a group mission.”
Dent expressed that performing her solo was a personal milestone, having spent months practicing and taking vocal lessons.
“The concert is meant to inspire people,” she said. “I want people to feel love, peace, and joy.”
Other Glee members reflected on the emotional impact the concert has on campus and the wider community. Kayla Dock, a sophomore alto, said the concert serves as a source of comfort for audience members during the holiday season.
“Christmas Carol is us doing a service to people, to the community, saying that you are loved, you are seen, and we are here for you,” Dock said.
Throughout the performance, the audience had the opportunity to engage with familiar carols, including “The First Noel” and “Joy To The World,” among others. The energy in Sisters Chapel shifted the moment the arrangements blended drums, violins and tight choral harmony, one of the most dynamic musical moments of the night. This all came together most powerfully in “This Christmas Day,” written by Kevin Johnson, director of the Spelman College Glee Club. The song’s upbeat tempo, instrumentation, and choreography had the audience swaying, clapping and smiling, one of those rare moments in the Christmas Carol tradition when the entire chapel felt lifted at once.
The weekend’s performances demonstrated how the two Glee Clubs honor long-standing traditions while continuing to shape the sound and spirit of the holiday season for the AUC.
With the semester coming to an end, students wrapping up finals and preparing to go home for the holidays, Spelman and Morehouse College Glee Clubs uplifted our spirits with the 99th Annual Spelman-Morehouse Christmas Carol. Three performances in Kings and Sisters Chapel occurred on Dec. 6, 7 and 8. Students, alumnae and community members filled the chapel in hopes of seeing a breathtaking performance.
Interum President Roz Brewer welcomed the audience, reminiscing about sitting in the audience once as a Spelman student and now serving as our beloved Interim President. She also took the time to recognize our beloved organist, Dr. Joyce Johnson, who received a standing ovation as she walked the stage. Johnson opened the concert with a reflective organ prelude that set the tone for the evening, followed by a full processional as the Glee Clubs filled the aisles. The chapel’s holiday decorations, combined with simple but entrancing choreography, created an atmosphere of celebration.
Mariama Nije
For many Glee Club members, the meaning of this performance was tied closely to its nearly century-long legacy.
“This year marks the 99th annual Christmas Carol Concert which means for almost a century, the Spelman and Morehouse Glee Clubs have been building and carrying this tradition together,” Spelman College Glee Club President Rayne Stewart said. Stewart said audiences travel “from near and far” each year, fostering a strong sense of connection for the Glee Club members and community listeners.
Stewart dived into her role during the Christmas Carol season, which includes supporting members through long rehearsals, events and logistical tasks.
“There are countless moving parts, and none of us can do it alone,” she said. “My goal is to ensure that everyone feels supported, grounded, and valued during such an intense but rewarding time.”
For first-year Glee members, the experience involved both learning the pieces and adjusting to the season's pace. Charity Dent, a sophomore and soloist for “We Are Christmas,” said the preparation was demanding but meaningful.
“Leaning on your sisters is the biggest thing,” Dent said. “It’s not a solo battle. It’s definitely a group mission.”
Dent expressed that performing her solo was a personal milestone, having spent months practicing and taking vocal lessons.
“The concert is meant to inspire people,” she said. “I want people to feel love, peace, and joy.”
Other Glee members reflected on the emotional impact the concert has on campus and the wider community. Kayla Dock, a sophomore alto, said the concert serves as a source of comfort for audience members during the holiday season.
“Christmas Carol is us doing a service to people, to the community, saying that you are loved, you are seen, and we are here for you,” Dock said.
Throughout the performance, the audience had the opportunity to engage with familiar carols, including “The First Noel” and “Joy To The World,” among others. The energy in Sisters Chapel shifted the moment the arrangements blended drums, violins and tight choral harmony, one of the most dynamic musical moments of the night. This all came together most powerfully in “This Christmas Day,” written by Kevin Johnson, director of the Spelman College Glee Club. The song’s upbeat tempo, instrumentation, and choreography had the audience swaying, clapping and smiling, one of those rare moments in the Christmas Carol tradition when the entire chapel felt lifted at once.
The weekend’s performances demonstrated how the two Glee Clubs honor long-standing traditions while continuing to shape the sound and spirit of the holiday season for the AUC.