We are delighted to announce the 47th Annual Carols by Candlelight on Sunday, December 14th and Monday, December 15th with special guest singer-songwriter, Cherie Call, with the Utah Valley Interfaith Choir, the Provost Singers, and Miss Utah’s Teen – Brynn Lindley.
Tickets will be available beginning Saturday, November 15th for $5 per person. Visit our online ticket site to purchase your tickets. (link available on November 15th).
Carols by Candlelight began in 1978 and has become a tradition now in its forty-sixth year. Long-time Provo residents, Shirley and Monroe Paxman, started this beloved event humbly within their home. The evening included scripture, carol singing, and of course, candle lighting, celebrating the anticipation and celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Word spread. As its popularity grew, Carols by Candlelight became too large to be held within their home. The Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ now serves as the home of this tradition, as hundreds come to experience the spirit and magic these special nights bring.
Cherie Call – was born and raised in Mesa, Arizona. She has released ten albums of her original songs. Cherie has played “in the round” at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, and is a two time finalist in the prestigious Kerrville Newfolk songwriting competition. Her songs have appeared in various films, including the Banff Mountain Film Festival award winning film, “True Fans”, which featured her song, “Heart Made of Wind’. Cherie collaborated with Lyndy Butler on a song called, “The Astronaut and the Mermaid’, which won the Children’s category of The John Lennon Songwriting Contest in 2016. Cherie is a member of the Utah supergroup, The Lower Lights. Cherie lives in Utah with her husband and four children.
Utah Valley Interfaith Choir – formed in 2014, seeks to strengthen the Christian interfaith community in Utah Valley by celebrating what we have in common and sharing faith through music. Choir members work a variety of jobs, hold varying perspectives on religion, politics, social issues, and have their own personal tastes. Though, the all-volunteer choir has a mutual love of singing and music, and that is what allows everyone to come together in harmony. The choir is under the direction of Dave Lewis, and David Kime.
Provost Singers – Director Teresa Dickson loves children and she loves music. She is an elementary school teacher and choir conductor, combining her two loves. While teaching third grade, she graduated from BYU with a Master’s Degree in Choral Conducting. She was privileged to be mentored by Ronald Staheli, Rosalind Hall, and Jean Applonie. She has assistant conducted the Mapleton Chorale and the Utah Children’s Choir and has worked with the elementary school choirs of Wasatch Elementary and Provost Elementary. She is Kodaly and Orff Certified and has spent several summers at Creating Artistry sponsored by Henry Leck and the Indianapolis Children’s Choirs.
In 2023, the Provost Singers were privileged to sing at the Utah Chapter of the American Choral Director’s Association convention at Libby Gardner Hall. It was a wonderful experience for the children.
The Provo Community Church, as it is known locally, was founded over 130 years ago in 1891 by members from varying religious backgrounds coming together for a stronger presence in a growing Utah Valley community. The church has grown from a humble Sunday school class to a well-known, historic church and community center in downtown Provo. Keeping the Faith in Downtown Provo is currently raising funds to repair, restore, renovate, and expand this beautiful community cornerstone to help the church remain an open and affirming faith organization, to continue and grow as one of the only places for inspirational community gatherings in downtown Provo, and to increase community offerings such as these performances. Donations and more information about the church and campaign can be found at www.keepingthefaithprovo.org and provocommunityucc.org.