Founded in 1877 to sing "The Waits" around Burlington on Christmas Eve, the St. Mary's Choral Society is a 30 member a cappella group composed of parishioners and non-parishioners who continue this tradition. Meeting only during the Christmas season, The Society also gives performances at St. Mary's, St. Barnabas's Church and The Evergreens (an Episcopal retirement home).
Choral Society at The Evergreens
December 1998
The following is from the Reverend George Morgan Hills "History of the Church in Burlington" --
On the midnight of Christmas, A.D. 1853, the old English custom was introduced in the the parish for "the Waits"--- a number of young men---to visit the Episcopal residence, the homes of the Clergy, the Hall and the College, and the houses of prominent parishioners, saluting them under their windows, with Christmas carols.
The members of the Choral Society gather every Christmas Eve to continue this tradition on the streets of Burlington.
