Palmer High School - Terror Trail Yearbook (Colorado Springs, CO)

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To Colorado Springs High School Angel tableau in Christmas Convocation Bill Price Billie .lo Jones C. S. H. S. combined a cappella choirs

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to the Pikes Peak Region eb it 5 11-J I 9 l Route 85-87, the north-south highway, converges with highway 24 at the Colorado Springs High School corner. Over these roads travel many thou- sands of people each spring to an Easter Sunrise Service in the Garden of the Gods. In 1922 Rev- erend A. W. Luce, a local minister, originated the unique ceremony after he was inspired by a walk in the garden while preparing an Easter sermon. From a modest crowd of 750, the service has grown in scope until today 15,000 people gather every Easter morning to worship in a natural setting. Many more listen to the annual world-wide broad- cast which was first heard in 1945. To create a reverent atmosphere, the combined choirs - of C.S.H.S. offer appropriate Easter music throughout the one-hour service presented by ministers of th e community. Every year choir students anticipate their share in the beautiful sunrise service. ln a similar manner the Christmas Convocation has become a community tradition since the earliest high school presentation in 1938 directed by Mr. Don Haley. One year later a nativity scene ac- companied the choral numbers. ln subsequent years Mr. Frank Gilles, present director of the A Cappel- la Choir, completed the tableaux cycle from the annunciation of Mary to the final adoration scene. The program opens with a concert of Christmas carols sung by the combined choirs on the stage. As the two narrators chosen by the speech and drama departments repeat the Christmas story to the action of the tableaux, the choir presents a story in song from the balcony of the auditorium. These two activities of the choir are important in- dications ot the nation's growing interest in the vocal music department of Colorado Springs High School. C. S. H. S. combined a cappella choirs

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C hristmas Convocation each year Israelites praying for the coming of the Redeemer Ann h ary Mange i V he manger Adoration scene