Annual Christmas Eve Carillon Concert
Richard Shadinger, carillonneur
December 24, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day John Calkin Silver Bells Jay Livingston/Ray Evans Carol of the Bells Russian Carol
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Medieval Plainsong ‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime (The Huron Carol)
FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONGS
Traditional Carol
Canadian Carol What Child Is This? English Carol Away in a Manger
I Wonder As I Wander Folk Carol/arr. John Jacob Niles Frosty the Snowman Steve Nelson/Walter “Jack” Rollins White Christmas Irving Berlin
CHRISTMAS HYMNS OF PRAISE
Angels We Have Heard on High
French Carol God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen
English Carol Joy to the World Arranged from Handel
POPULAR SONGS OF THE SEASON
The Little Drummer Boy
Kathryn K. Davis
Jolly Old Saint Nicholas American Song
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Hugh Martin/Ralph Blake Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire Mel Torne/Robert Wells
Jingle Bells
Traditional American Song
We Wish You a Merry Christmas English
The carillon is best heard up the hill away from the tower. The tradition of the Christmas Eve Carillon Concert goes back to 1929 at Ward Belmont and was resumed in 1986 by Belmont University. Belmont’s carillon is comprised of 43 bronze bells ranging in size from over 1200 pounds to 30 pounds. The carillonneur plays a keyboard with baton-type keys and pedals, controlling the dynamics of the bells much like on a piano. There are fewer than 200 carillons in America.
Belmont University wishes you a Merry Christmas