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Performers dressed in blue robes and all-black attire sang praise and winter songs to welcome in the holiday season. Hendricks Chapel was filled with colorful lighting and snowflakes projected on the walls, representing the winter weather in Syracuse.

“Every year it sells out within about 30 minutes,” said Nick Dekaney, a Syracuse University senior and vice president of Hendricks Chapel Choir. “It’s evidence of how much people enjoy the show, so I’m always really proud to get to put on the show.”

This year’s annual Holidays at Hendricks concert featured performances from Hendricks Chapel Choir, University Singers and the Morton Schiff Jazz Ensemble. The groups came together on Sunday to perform a winter concert before the holiday season. People from across the country gathered to watch this show, Dekaney said.

José “Peppie” Calvar, Hendricks Chapel Choir artistic director, opened by talking to the audience about its importance to him and his gratitude for the team. Calvar also announced that this was his last Holidays at Hendricks event.

Singers performed several holiday pieces, including “Once in Royal David’s City,” “He Is” and “Sleigh Ride.” The two groups sang the first and last pieces of the concerts together. After the first song, singers and members of the Morton Schiff Jazz Ensemble also performed, and organ players joined in.

The annual concert concluded with a candle lighting ceremony. While ensembles performed “Lord Bless You and Keep You” and “Silent Night,” the audience passed the flame. Cassie Roshu | Senior Staff Photographer

SU junior and Hendricks Chapel Choir Secretary Emerson Carracedo said being part of the choir is “like no other.” She connected with the final piece, “Silent Night,” and said singing together feels like being part of a community. There are so many voices that you can never be alone, Carracedo said.

“It’s not just about what you’re singing, but who you’re singing with,” Carracedo said. “We call ourselves a family.”

The preparation for the show took time, Caiyan Bass, president of Hendricks Chapel Choir said. She said they started getting ready for the event at the beginning of the semester and that it took many hours of practice each week.

She was proud to see it pay off by enjoying it with her community. As a senior, this was Bass’ fourth and last concert.

“The most fun part is seeing it develop over time, from the first rehearsal where we’re sight reading it on the fly and then seeing it in the final rehearsal right before the performance,” Bass said.

Carracedo said during her freshman year she was overcome with emotion when she first listened to the Holiday at Hendricks celebration, something she’d never experienced before. After that, she decided to join Hendricks Chapel Choir and has been part of this show since.

Featuring several holiday pieces like “Once in Royal David’s City,” “He Is” and “Sleigh Ride,” the concert welcomed the winter season with festive songs. Hendricks Chapel Choir and the Morton Schiff Jazz Ensemble shared the first and last pieces of the concert together. Cassie Roshu | Senior Staff Photographer

“This is a time where we can all forget about the things that are happening in our outside world and sit and enjoy music together as a community,” Bass said. “It’s very much a community feel.”

The show concluded with a candle lighting ceremony, where audience members passed the flame as the ensembles performed “Lord Bless You and Keep You” and “Silent Night.”

As a tour guide, every time Bass takes people on tours, she mentions this concert. When everyone has their candles lit and sings together, it helps her reflect on the year.

“It’s going to be especially important for me thinking about all the people that I’ve done this with for the past four years,” Bass said.

Published on December 7, 2025 at 11:07 pm
Contact Yole: yabarlat@syr.edu