Alma presents Festival of Carols

CHARLOTTE ROCKWELL
PHOTOGRAPHER

NAYONIKAA SINGHAAL
STAFF WRITER

11/25/2024

The holiday season came alive at Alma College with the much-anticipated Festival of Carols, a festive event that brought the entire campus together for an evening of music, laughter, and plenty of holiday cheer. Held on November 23, in the Presbyterian Hall, the event kicked off with an atmosphere of excitement as students, faculty, and community members gathered for an unforgettable celebration. 

The night was a whirlwind of beautiful melodies, with the college’s choir leading the charge, filling the air with their powerful harmonies. Dressed in festive colors, the choir’s performance set the tone for the evening, inviting everyone to sing along and get into the spirit of the season. The crowd, some tapping their feet to the melodies and others snapping photos, couldn’t help but be swept up in the joyous energy. 

“Festival of Carols marks the beginning of the holiday season here on the campus of Alma College. It remains an event that students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community members attend and enjoy year after year” said Dr. Nicole Mattfeld, Alma College Choir Director. 

As the performers spent only seven weeks preparing for 80 minutes of concert time, the pressure was high, with every detail needing to be perfected. “My most rewording moment was when we finally began having songs memorized and moved into working the emotion of the songs,” said Tyler Hoag (‘25) 

The students and choir director poured their heart and soul into this performance, carefully selecting each carol and dedicating countless hours to rehearsal. Their immense commitment and hard work brought the Festival of Carols to life. This festival wasn’t just about the music—it was about building a connection with the community. To achieve this, the team kept several key elements in mind throughout the planning and preparation, ensuring that the event would resonate with every member of the audience. 

“Each piece provides a different tone and message, much of which is derived from the text of each piece. Part of the rehearsal process is establishing the emotional context of each song and singing it in a way that is most effective and true to the composer’s intent,” said Mattfeld.  

The choir’s dedication to this emotional depth was evident throughout the performance, as each song resonated with the audience on a personal level. Whether through soft, intimate harmonies or powerful crescendos, the performers delivered each piece with passion, creating an atmosphere of warmth and connection that perfectly captured the spirit of the season. 

Festival of Carols had 12-13 acts performed by about 30 students, ranging from O light born of light, to Go Tell It on the Mountain, from Good Ale to the classic O Come All Ye Faithful, but each student had their own pick, something they can relate to the most. 

“[My favorite piece is] a song called Stars, and it was composed based on the sound of a wine glass and so it creates this really cool soundscape, and we [surrounded] the audience and did it in the dark, and… it just really shows like the power of silence,” said Killian Glover (‘27) 

While some may argue that it’s “too early” to start celebrating, the concert offers a gentle and joyful reminder that the holidays are on their way. The event helps set the tone for the rest of the season, filling people with that sense of warmth and joy that can sometimes feel elusive in the rush of everyday life. After all, there’s no harm in starting the holiday season a little early, especially when the music makes it even more festive. 

“Putting up a Christmas tree is not the same unless you are playing Christmas music so similarly if you can’t get the Christmas spirit unless you hear some Christmas tunes so I think that this concert is very crucial in…getting people in the spirit even it is a little early this year” said Glover.