USC announces holiday events

COLUMBIA - The University of South Carolina invites the public to celebrate the holidays through its annual tree lighting, choral concert and holiday card exhibit.

The 54th annual tree-lighting ceremony, celebrating Carolina's commitment to serving others, will take place on the historic Horseshoe Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. Attendees will include Dr. Harris Pastides, president of the university; Andrew Gaeckle, president of the Student Government Association; and representatives from the Salvation Army and Nurturing Center. The event is free.

The School of Music Concert Choir, under the direction of Dr. Larry Wyatt, will present the choir's annual Christmas concert Dec. 7 at First Presbyterian Church at 6 p.m. The concert is free. The choir will perform a number of relatively obscure pieces, including the following:

Hallock's "I Saw a New Heaven and a New Earth"; Charles Wood's "Never Weather-Beaten Sail"; "Arise, Shine," by South Carolina composer Dan Forrest; Rachmaninoff's "Magnificat" from "All-Night Vigil"; Byrd's "This Day Christ Was Born"; Stephen Paulus' "Pilgrim Jesus"; and Vaughan- Williams' "Dona Nobis Pacem."

The concert also will feature familiar carols and spirituals, including "How Far Is it to Bethlehem?" "My Dancing Day," "Here is the Little Door," "Wexford Carol," "Sweet Little Jesus Boy," "Silent Night," "Go Tell It on the Mountain," and "Abide With Me."

The 2008 card exhibit, "Christmas on the Potomac," will be on display at the Thomas Cooper Library's East Gallery from Dec. 1 through Jan. 15. The exhibit features Christmas cards from U.S. presidents, from Herbert Hoover to George W. Bush. Cards from University President Harris Pastides and, if available, U.S. Presidentelect Barack Obama and Gov. Mark Sanford, also will be on display. The cards are from the university library collections.