In 1937, Principal Joel P. Jensen initiated the Candlelight Service Christmas program, taking the idea from college holiday programs. It began with about two dozen music students processing into the auditorium with lit candles.

Since the inception, the program has evolved to 12 groups performing over several days and the lit candles are now battery operated, but the tradition surrounding the music and holidays has continued.

“It’s fun to see everyone performing Christmas music and it’s super festive,” senior Megan Tew said.

Each night of the three-day concert begins at 7 p.m. and the $5 ticket is good for every performance.

On Dec. 16, choir members will enter the auditorium carrying the lit candles before they take the stage. The second night features members of several bands performing and the third night, the orchestra will perform several numbers including the traditional Hallelujah chorus from Handel’s Messiah, where alumni in the audience sing with the choir for the candlelight recessional.

Band director Darin Graber has been a part of the Candlelight concerts since 2000.

“It has gotten a lot bigger since those first years in Bingham Canyon and then at Copperton; it’s gained momentum,” he said about the 600 to 700 students performing those three nights. “If the acapella choir opens the show, they have over 100 members who will have candles as they sing in the aisles. It’s a big community tradition. We have people who have come here for 40 years. Maybe their kids were in it, and they just keep coming; maybe they heard about it and make it part of their own tradition to celebrate the holidays.”

Graber had just finished directing the jazz band in rehearsing traditional classics such as “I Heard the Bells,” “Holly Jolly” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” as well as some family favorites, “Rudolph” and “Frosty the Snowman.” 

“The jazz band’s tradition is to play in the hallway outside the auditorium about 30 minutes before the concert begins,” Graber said. “I enjoy a concert filled with holiday music, not just a concert with one or two songs like ‘Jingle Bells’ or ‘Sleigh Ride.’ One of my groups, the symphonic band, is doing a Ukrainian Christmas carol so it’s not all necessarily Christian holiday music. It’s beautiful music for an hour each night for our community to celebrate the holidays.”

A silent auction to benefit the True Blue student charity fundraiser also takes place in the foyer.

During the program, the Candlelight Service Award recipient is honored.

That tradition began in 1976, shortly after the school moved to South Jordan, said former history teacher

Scott Crump, who compiled the history of Bingham High in a book.

“In keeping with the Christmas spirit, this award is presented annually to people who have given outstanding service to Bingham High School,” he said.

Graber said traditionally, the recipient is honored in front of the audience before a plaque with their photo and bio is added to the other recipients’ plaques in the foyer of the auditorium.

He said the music teachers share with the students the importance of this longstanding tradition.

“The kids understand this is something that has gone on for a long time,” Graber said. “We share with them a little bit in class with what this is and the importance of the school tradition so they will carry it on.”