Were you there in 1982 on a damp and cold wintry evening for the Governor's Carolighting? You or someone you know might have been! We hope that you will enjoy this glorious program from ETV Classics! Host Rick Sebak describes large crowd that had assembled near the State House steps to sing some carols, hear beautiful music, and to watch while Governor Riley lit the state’s Christmas tree.
The USC Trumpet Choir brought a bright fanfare, and the Governor's All-Star Band provided instrumental music for much of the event. Arpad Darazs led the award-winning USC Concert Choir as well as a massive Combined Church Choir comprised of seventy-five choirs from churches across the state. The Children’s Choir consisted of one hundred and thirty-two children from Lexington and Richland county schools directed by Arletta Raley and assisted by Carolyn Brown and Jackie Moore-McNeal. The handbell choir was directed by Rev. R. D. Roberts, Minister of Music of Shandon Baptist Church and was made up of eleven handbell choirs from churches across the state. Dr. William C. Reid of the Shandon United Methodist Church, Columbia, was the presiding minister for the event.
Listen for The First Noel, O Come O Come Emmanuel, Gentle Gentle Little Jesus, Jazz Gloria, Mary's Little Boy Child, O Christmas Tree, Do You Hear What I Hear, Silent Night, Away in the Manger, Jesus, We Just Want to Thank You, among others. Following Handel's Messiah, Frank Madison Reid, Jr., Presiding Bishop, Seventh Episcopal District of the AME Church provided the benediction. Another bright trumpet fanfare brought the evening to a close.
Side Notes
- Richard Riley - (born January 2, 1933) is an American politician who served as the sixth United States secretary of education from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton and as the 111th governor of South Carolina from 1979 to 1987. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Riley is the only Democrat to serve two consecutive terms as governor in the time since the state constitution was amended to allow governors to serve consecutive terms.
- Arpad Darazs - Remembering the Days: Sweet Friends, The Legacy of Arpad Darazs and the Concert Choir. Nearly 63 years ago, a Hungarian-born choral conductor named Arpad Darazs turned the Concert Choir into an internationally known touring ensemble that garnered fame for the university and continues to excel in choral performance to this day.
- Arletta Raley (1936 – 2025) - Obituary.
- University of South Carolina Concert Choir. Learn more about USC's Concert Choir.
- Barbara Porter (1933 – 2023) gave much of her adult life to ministering to the deaf community by interpreting on television for the Governor’s speeches and annual Governor’s Carolighting event, State House Week, National Presidential Debates and weekly First Baptist Church services. She interpreted at several technical colleges and over 100 courses at the University of South Carolina including 3 years of law school.
