Imagine being on a stage with 300 teenagers from 15 different schools, a 50 person professional orchestra, and a famous guest narrator who tells the story of Christmas. This huge event takes place at Epcot at Walt Disney World and brings people from all around the world to Orlando for a once in a lifetime experience. Lines form hours earlier as the excited crowd waits for the 100 or so limited seats.  Not to be deterred, the remaining people pack around the stage like sardines in a can to witness the performance. Others take an even  more proactive approach through Disney dining packages that guarantees a seat if you buy lunch or dinner.

     Additionally, people are drawn to this spectacular occasion because of the different narrators who appear nightly.  These famous guests bring their own personal flair to the story of Christmas.  Some of the narrators in years past include Whoopi Goldberg, Isabella Rossellini, Steven Curtis Chapman, Edward James Olmos, and Blair Underwood. There are three shows nightly from November 29 to December 30 called the Candlelight Processional. The event showcases 15 traditional Christmas songs with 8 different voice parts imbedded in the magical story of Christmas. There are special light effects for emphasis. Each student wears a yellow robe and holds a battery-powered candle. They hold these throughout the show and while they proceed through the crowds to enter the stage.

     Only hours before, preparations intensify as the students rehearse backstage at Epcot with the conductor and guest narrator. There is also a group of professional singers, one for each voice part, called the "statue of liberty" or the "tree", that stands in the center wearing a green robe in the shape of a tree while singing each of the songs. With the students in the yellow robes around them, it creates a magical illusion of stars around a Christmas tree. When the show is about to start, the students line up according to voice part and proceed through the waiting audience.

     Along with the 15 songs the students were required to learn, they are also required to memorize three more that were provided closer to the event. These are often considered to be the most important ones because the students are singing these while they process through the crowd onto the stage. If they do not learn these, it could create some awkward moments.  Students will either learn the songs in class or at home with some schools requiring mastery of all original songs prior to the event.  At the end of each week leading up to the special day, each individual must pass one to two songs creating a final total of 15 songs to participate. If all 15 songs are not passed successfully, the student may not be able to participate.
   

The show is honestly a breathe-taking performance because of all the elaborate components occurring simultaneously. The songs flow through your body and touch you creating a warm, fuzzy feeling of joy and love. You can not help but lose yourself in the mesmerizing music. The memory continues days after the event as all who witnessed the special occasion finds themselves singing  the beautiful songs  for weeks on end. If you ever have a chance to observe this performance, treasure it and listen closely to the gorgeous music of this truly special event.