As winter break approaches, returning Concord Academy students might have realized that an important event is missing. Every year, the Senior Holiday Chapel happens on the last night before winter break to send students off to a happy holiday season; however, not this year.
The Senior Holiday Chapel is a tradition at CA where seniors perform a variety of acts, including songs, skits, and poetry readings, for the boarding community, their families, and any students or faculty who can fit in the chapel. The event is planned and directed by the senior class advisors, who gather the student interest and create an order for the program. Students who volunteer to perform rehearse the acts on their own and there is usually one rehearsal near the event to make sure the tech is working properly.
In a typical year, the event begins with the seniors processing into the chapel carrying candles singing Dona Nobis Pacem in a three-part round. The song means “Grant Us Peace” in Latin. Some interesting traditions such as the Heads of Houses performing “Jingle Bell Rock” and the choreography of Mean Girls were also passed down.
The Senior Holiday Chapel is a very special and festive event to end the first semester. It is often considered to be the first of a series of senior class moments, including Coffee House, Baccalaureate, and Commencement, where seniors get to showcase their talents and passions with the community and their families. Unfortunately, this event will not be happening this year. Instead, there is the Holiday Concert on Friday, December 18th, at 7 p.m. EST with chamber music, singing, and dancing. We can hope for the tradition to be continued once CA returns to an in-person model.