October 29, 2018

The television special Christmas at Susquehanna: The 50th Anniversary Candlelight Service has won a Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award for WVIA.

Recorded in December 2016 and broadcast throughout the U.S. in December 2017, Christmas at Susquehanna features the University Choir, Chorale, Chamber Singers, Orchestra, Brass and Percussion ensembles. Musical highlights include Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, O Little Town of Bethlehem, We Three Kings, Silent Night and more.

Susquehanna’s Candlelight Service was first held on Dec. 15, 1966. The hour-long program is a joyous spectacle of more than 1,500 candles and carols, as well as traditional readings and songs in celebration of the season.

The program was produced by VIA Studios Global in partnership with Susquehanna University and distributed nationwide by American Public Television.

Director Ben Payavis II won the Emmy Award for best director in the live or live-to-tape category at the annual ceremony of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences on Oct. 13 in Philadelphia.

The program will be repeated on public television stations for the next two holiday seasons.

DVDs of Christmas at Susquehanna and This Is My Song, which marked the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, are available for purchase here.