One of Notre Dame Prep's most cherished traditions is the singing of "O Holy Night" at its annual Christmas Liturgy. The Christmas Liturgy will be held virtually this year on the morning of December 18.

Each year the song is sung as a Communion meditation by the 100-plus-strong concert choir, with a student chosen as the featured soloist. The lights are dimmed. The chorus stands in the aisles, holding lighted candles, with the soloist in the front. It has been described as a "beautiful moment" by many.

This year, the singing of "O Holy Night" has taken a new form. It was taped with the concert choir walking through NDP's beautiful campus, leading to Love Field, where the song was performed.

Video - O Holy Night December 2020

Stacey Bilenki, director of vocal music at NDP who coordinates the performance of "O Holy Night" each year, said she started thinking about how to perform the hymn at the Christmas liturgy as soon as the school year began. She knew many of the school's concerts and performances would not take place. However, she also knew the history and great reverence for the singing of "O Holy Night" and knew it had to happen this year.

She decided to tape the performance outdoors because the choir is so large (115 members) and incorporated candles into the video because they are an important part of the tradition. Students loved Bilenki's idea and were on board immediately. The feedback provided by those who have received a "sneak peak" has been incredibly positive.

Bilenki explains, "This tradition is so cherished – not just by the chorus students but by the entire community. Teachers and students alike will stop me in the hallway in the weeks before Christmas and say 'who do you think the 'O Holy Night' soloist will be?' The whole community is so invested in it, and I think everyone is so happy that we were able to still make it happen."

This year's soloist is senior Annie Newton. When choosing a soloist, Bilenki looks for vocal technique – correct pitch and rhythm, phrasing, dynamics. And she looks for someone who connects with the song and its meaning and who makes the audience feel something. Bilenki explains that it’s such a powerful hymn, and the emotion behind it is crucial.

"O Holy Night" will be available for viewing on the NDP website (notredameprep.com) after the Christmas Liturgy.

Bilenki has been at NDP for seven years. She oversees all the vocal music in grades 6-12; teaches middle level and upper level chorus; directs the upper level chamber choir, the liturgy band, the Blaze Clefs (pop a cappella group ala Pitch Perfect), and the middle and upper level musicals. She also teaches the AP music theory class.