Mercer Islanders to perform in Northwest Boychoir’s A Festival of Lessons and Carols

When the Northwest Boychoir opens its 38th season of “A Festival of Lessons and Carols” on Dec. 10 this year, there will be no fewer than three very proud choristers from Mercer Island.

Ranging in age from 10-14, they include Hanri Luo and Justin Lee, both 12 and in sixth grade at Islander Middle School, and 15-year-old Mercer Island High School sophomore Cael Mulligan. The talented singers worked their way over many years to the top performing choir, which performs these thrilling concerts that have become a holiday tradition for thousands of families in the Puget Sound region and showcase the 90-member combined chorus of the Northwest Boychoir and Vocalpoint! Seattle.

Patterned after the Christmas Eve observance at King’s College in Cambridge, England, “A Festival of Lessons and Carols” consists of nine holiday readings, each followed by a traditional carol performed by the choir, and another carol sung by the choir and audience.

The talented young musicians ages 10-18 attend 63 local schools. The eight regional performances culminate at Benaroya Hall on Dec. 23, when the Seattle Symphony, with members of the Northwest Sinfonia, presents the final performance of A Festival of Lessons and Carols.

The 2016-17 season is particularly special for the Northwest Boychoir, a nonprofit, as it embarks on a much-needed renovation of its rehearsal and office spaces in the historic University Heights Center in the University District.

This will provide the long-term stability needed to continue playing an integral part in the lives of children, young people and their families across the greater Seattle area. Construction is expected to start during spring 2017 and last three months. The choir is already 95 percent to its goal of raising $577,000.

A Festival of Lessons and Carols concerts are open to the public, and will run Dec. 10-23 at various venues throughout the Puget Sound region, including Lynnwood, Laurelhurst, West Seattle, Ballard and Saint Mark’s Cathedral in Seattle. Concerts have reserved seating.

Advance tickets are available at 206-524-3234 or online at www.nwboychoir.org.