Holiday band: A Christmas tradition

by Ava Swearingen, student writer

Every year, students look forward to Holiday Band chapel. During this special assembly, the University joins together in singing festive Christmas songs, listens to a short devotional thought and then welcomes the Thundering Herd Marching Band to the stage. The band leads faculty, staff and students through an interactive Christmas concert, including jingling keys, clapping songbooks and a sing-a-long. With final exams looming, this is a joyful day on campus each year that provides a little break from studying. We asked several members of the Harding community to share more about why they love Holiday Band chapel.

“I love Christmas chapel because it’s a great start to such a joyful time of year! Everyone is excited; they’re laughing and just really enjoying life. The music seems to bring out everyone’s inner child, and it’s a beautiful Harding tradition that everyone gets excited for!”

— Holly Haslam

“I love Christmas chapel because it gets everyone involved. Everyone is so happy and cheerful. I love it so much!”

— Ameleah Brauer

“I really enjoy Christmas chapel because it’s a great way to kickstart the holiday season. Everyone in the Benson gets to join together along with the band to sing Christmas carols and share smiles. That brings me joy!”

— Reagan Mitchell

“I love holiday band because everybody gets to participate in singing nostalgic Christmas songs, and I love to bring my songbook and jingle my keys. Everybody loves it, and we’ve been doing it for so long that we all get to be connected not just to everyone who is there in the Benson that day but all those who have ever been there before.” 

— Robyn Nickleson 

“I love holiday band because I love listening to live music, and I really like Christmas. It’s fun that we get to jingle our keys and sing along!”

— Kennedy Picker

“I love holiday chapel because it brings excitement and joy that sometimes gets lost in the day-to-day. I also love getting to see my friends doing things they love onstage and my other friends celebrating them from the seats!”

— Kinsley Jones

“It’s a really sweet way for us to celebrate the holidays together before we all go our separate ways for break!”

— Callie Reeves