Spartans unite for a meaningful Christmas service of music, faith and legacy during the school’s milestone anniversary.

From the glow of luminaries lining the Chapel pathways to the harmonious voices of the Madrigals — and every Bible verse spoken in between — the 75th celebration of the Festival of Lessons and Carols offered a touching retelling of God’s love for the entire St. Stephen’s community and beyond.

“My hope and prayer is that people, whatever they come in here with, they leave with a sense of internal peace and calm and an awareness of God's love for them to go out and be love in the world,” said St. Stephen’s Head Chaplain Rev. Aimée Eyer-Delevett.

The festival was celebrated on two nights. The first night, the St. Stephen’s Middle School choir and the Madrigals delivered a stirring performance. The Chapel was filled with dozens of people the following night and scores more joined online for what was designated as Upper School night. Sunday’s service included a special faculty, staff and alumni choir who joined the Madrigals for a grand finale rendition of the “Hallelujah Chorus.” The performance honored the elite choral ensemble’s 52nd anniversary.

Ahead of Sunday night’s service, a special Madrigals reception was held in Becker Library for former Madrigal singers, former directors and members of the Spartan Legacy Society. Since the group’s inception, there have been six Madrigals directors. Three attended the reception: Shearon Horton, Rick Gabrillo and Kendra Lipman.

“I am still on cloud nine after an incredible evening celebrating our rich and beautiful tradition of Lessons & Carols,” said Lipman, director of choral music. “It was a magnificent way to honor both the 75th anniversary of St. Stephen's Episcopal School and 52 years of the Madrigal singers. I am immensely proud of our choir singers, who rose beautifully to the occasion, singing with exceptional musical sensitivity and a deep connection to the sacred texts. Conducting students from multiple generations — all united by this shared legacy of singing with the Madrigals at this special ‘school on The Hill’ — was an incredible joy!”

Head of School Chris Gunnin and Liz Moon, Chair of the Fine Arts Department, spoke to the roomful of Spartans and their families about their appreciation for everyone’s work and dedication to make the Lessons and Carols services special each year.

“What I see every time the baton is passed, is that the tradition of excellence — of time and commitment, of giving to the community, of taking music from The Hill to the world — is passed on without skipping a beat,” said Moon. “Thank you for sharing your musical gifts during your time at SSES. Thanks to the audiences, who are part of this equation, and thanks for celebrating 52 years of Mads, as well as the school's 75th.”

Special thanks go to Parents’ Association volunteers, alumni and students who carried on the school tradition of setting up and taking down the luminaries.

Learn more about the history of the Madrigals.

Learn more about St. Stephen’s Episcopal Identity.