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SALT LAKE CITY -- As Christmas approaches, many school children are looking forward to a break. But students at the Madeleine Choir School are preparing for their busy season.
The angelic voices of children and a harp filled the Cathedral of the Madeleine Friday. They sang of the coming of the Christ child in "A Ceremony of Carols."
"I remember when I was little," said eighth-grade student Jaclyn Tani, "I remember listening to it and being really excited to be able to perform it when I was older. So, it's a really good experience to sing it year after year."
A noon-time crowd filled the Cathedral. They know the students of the Madeleine Choir School bring a knowledge of and sensitivity to this medieval poetry set to music written during World War II.
These services during the Christmas season mean a lot of extra rehearsal for the young people in the choir school.
Seventh-grader Conor Donehue said, "Every school day we practice for an hour, and a couple days we practice for two hours at night. And then before each performance, we practice for an hour and a half."
Some wait all year for this service; others came Friday for the first time.
"They're so dedicated, and it's a beautiful thing to come to and listen to," said Stella Chaidez.
"I felt all, like, peaceful, and the music was beautiful," Zaimere Langford said.
The choir will sing another "Ceremony of Carols" next Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 12:15 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Madeleine.
E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com
