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I’m seeking representatives from across the campus — students, staff, and faculty—to audition to be a reader for this year’s Christmas Festival. 

There will be more detailed information coming out in the coming days and weeks regarding the 2020 Carthage Christmas Festival. In short, I can tell you that the theme for this year’s Festival is “Come, With Healing In Thy Wings” and that we are producing a video of this year’s festival rather than offering live performances.

The video format allows me the opportunity to incorporate a reading into the festival program that I have been drawn to for many years but thought was too lengthy to be presented in a live performance. Maya Angelou recited “Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem” at the 2005 White House Christmas tree lighting ceremony. I believe her words from 2005 resonate still in these uncertain times we find ourselves in, in 2020.

I am planning to have up to 14 people reading this poem. Through video editing, the poem will weave seamlessly from reader to reader. I am inviting students, faculty, and staff to submit a video, made on your phone, of you reading the second half of this poem. From the submissions, we will invite up to 14 people to a recording session to read the poem.

If you are interested in submitting a video, please download the attached files of (1) “Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem” and (2) instructions for recording and submitting a video. You have until Wednesday, Sept. 30 to submit your video to me. You may submit your video by sharing it with me on Google docs — do not email it to me. Please contact me if you have questions or require further information.

Peter Dennee
Associate Professor of Music
Christmas Festival Director

SPONSORING DEPARTMENT, OFFICE, OR ORGANIZATION:

Christmas Festival

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Peter Dennee, pdennee@carthage.edu, 262-551-5939