CLINTON - The Presbyterian College Department of Visual and Performing Arts presented its annual Christmas at PC Concert, “Light of the World,” on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m. inside the beautifully adorned Belk Auditorium. Under the artistic direction of Mrs. Kipper Ackerman, the event delivered a rich blend of tradition, scripture, and musical excellence that marked one of the college’s most beloved holiday traditions. Belk Auditorium was filled to capacity, with many attendees standing along the walls to enjoy the performance.
The celebration began outdoors on the steps of Belk Auditorium, where PC pipemaster Gary Hipp welcomed guests with traditional bagpipe carols. His spirited performance set the tone as families, students, alumni, faculty, and community members gathered for an afternoon of Christmas reflection and music.
Inside, the concert unfolded as a seamless tapestry of readings and songs telling the story of the birth of Jesus. Bob and Amy Link, distinguished Presbyterian College alumni, served as narrators, guiding the audience through the sacred story with warmth and reverence.
The program featured a vibrant mix of audience-participation carols along with musical performances by the PC Choir, PC Orchestra, and PC Wind Ensemble. Together, the ensembles delivered a heartfelt collection of Christmas selections, including “Let There Be Light,” “Joy to the World,” and “Ave Verum.”
A particularly delightful moment came when the PC Choir was joined by a Community Children’s Choir made up of selected students from Clinton Elementary, Eastside Elementary, and Joanna-Woodson Elementary. Their sweet, youthful voices added a bright layer to the performance, earning some of the biggest smiles of the afternoon.
The emotional high point of the concert arrived with “This Little Light of Mine,” highlighted by a breathtaking solo from Ruby Lee. The clarity and warmth of the soloist’s voice filled the auditorium, leaving many in the audience deeply moved.
The concert concluded with thoughtful closing remarks from Mrs. Kipper Ackerman, who reflected on the meaning of light during the Christmas season and expressed gratitude to the performers, students, and community for supporting the arts at PC. Her words led seamlessly into the audience-participatory singing of “Christ, Be Our Light,” a fitting and reverent finale to a program grounded in hope, reflection, and the shared spirit of the season.
The performance ended to thunderous applause, a reflection of the impact this cherished holiday tradition continues to have on the community. Attendees left Belk Auditorium with hearts full, spirits lifted, and the Christmas season officially underway. If you missed Light of the World, you can catch the PC Choir’s next performance on January 18 at First Presbyterian Church in Clinton, where another inspiring and joy-filled program of music, fellowship, and community spirit awaits all who attend.
