79th Annual Evensong, Dec. 12, 2020
Celebrating the holidays through the voices of MMA cadets, MMA's 79th annual Evensong aired on our YouTube channel on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
The event was prerecorded in Memorial Chapel without an audience due to the Academy’s COVID-19 safety protocols.
About Evensong
Evensong, described as a "Festival of Lessons and Carols," is an Academy tradition that includes live readings and musical performances by cadet musicians and the MMA Choir. See list of participants below.
The MMA Evensong is a celebration of the Christmas story, similar to the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols held in the King's College Chapel in Cambridge. The festival dates back to the Christmas Eve of 1918, when it was first held in the chapel one month after World War I ended. The service was developed by Eric Milner-White, who was the young, newly appointed dean of King's College at the time. Milner-White had previously served as an army chaplain.
The Evensong program began at MMA in 1941, less than a month after the Japanese attacked the U.S. at Pearl Harbor, drawing the country into World War II. Since then, Evensong has traditionally served as a joyful start to the winter furlough.
Instrumental Ensemble
William Delaplane
Peter Didicher
William Dunn
Kruze Hagan
Matthew Hamilton
Michael Henderson
Michael Machary-Pagan
Anthony Melick
Landon Meyer
Victor Patino-Matos
Griffin Roberts
Ian Robison
Kevith Sangster
Evan Schreyer
Angelo Uradenta
Bradford Wright
Chongbo Zhao
Cadet Bagpipe Ensemble
Cadet Pipe Major Clayton Nelson
Matthew Hamilton
Christopher Chew
Cadet Choir
Dhalil Belko
Damien Brown
Kevin Gonzalez
Jancarlo Barajas
Ramel Morgan
Ash Park
Mason Ruckman
Kamden Sipple
Guanhong Song
Ryan Stafford
Cadet Lessons Readers
Francisco Jacquez
Landy Nguyen
Phasakorn Cunningham
Kevin Gonzalez
Jared Douthit
Bradford Wright
Loyal Smith
Bryce Bowen
Fine Arts Department
Mrs. Cheryl Morris,
Chair
Mr. Rob McGrath
Director of Bands
Major Mike Shoemaker
Director of Cadet Chorus
Pipes Major Brian Donaldson
Director of Cadet Bagpipe Ensemble
Mr. Stephen Maziarz
Accompanist
Mr. Kevin M. Quinn
Chaplain
79th annual Evensong Program
THE PRELUDE
Instrumental Ensemble
“Bolero” M. Ravel arr. J. Vinson
“Coventry Carol” Traditional
WELCOME
Chaplain Kevin Quinn
BIDDING PRAYER
Chaplain Kevin Quinn
THE FIRST LESSON
God tells the sinful Adam that he has lost the life of Paradise and that his seed will bruise the serpent’s head.
Reader: Cadet Francisco Jacquez
“Of the Father’s Love Begotten” Cadet Choir
THE SECOND LESSON
God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed shall all the nations on earth be blessed.
Reader: Cadet Landy Nguyen
“Waiting for a King” Cadet Choir
Cadet Bagpipe Ensemble
“O’ Come, All Ye Faithful”
“We Three Kings”
“Angels We Have Heard on High”
THE THIRD LESSON
The prophet foretells the coming of the Savior; The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown.
Reader: Cadet Phasakorn Cunningham
“Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” Cadet Choir
THE FOURTH LESSON
The angel Gabriel salutes the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Reader: Cadet Kevin Gonzalez
“Allegro from Divertimento IV” W. A. Mozart
Cadet Clarinet Trio
Michael Machary-Pagan, Victor Patino-Matos and Evan Schreyer
THE FIFTH LESSON
St. Luke tells of the birth of Jesus
Reader: Cadet Jared Douthit
“Infant Holy” Cadet Choir
THE SIXTH LESSON
The shepherds go to the Manger.
Reader: Cadet Bradford Wright
Cadet Bagpipe Ensemble
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
“Once in David’s Royal City”
THE SEVENTH LESSON
The wise men are led by the star to Jesus.
Reader: Cadet Loyal Smith
“We Three Kings”
Cadets Kevin Gonzalez, Kamden Sipple and Ryan Stafford
THE EIGHTH LESSON
St. John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.
Reader: Cadet Bryce Bowen
“O Holy Night” Cadets Dhalil Belko and Kevin Gonzalez
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
BG Richard V. Geraci (USA Ret.)
A CHRISTMAS BENEDICTION
Chaplain Kevin Quinn
POSTLUDE
Instrumental Ensemble
“All Through the Silent Night” M. Williams
“Joy to the World” G. Handel
Please note that ample distance will be given between cadets during performances. The camera and depth of the field are deceptive and may make it appear that cadets are closer together than they actually were during filming.
If you have questions or would like to discuss how you can support MMA cadets, contact Director of Alumni & Parent Engagement Cassandra Brooks at cassandra.brooks@missourimilitaryacademy.com.