Christmas morning on St. Thomas, just before dawn, brings choirs and artists to the David Monsanto Bandstand in Emancipation Garden for the annual Challenge of the Carols. This year’s event brought new energy into the area just as the caroling was ready to start.
Christmas revelers ready to celebrate the day. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
Thursday marked the 49th showcase of choirs singing hymns and V.I. holiday favorites; solo vocalists and a musical quartet delivered songs that captured the mood of the day.
Much of the audience reached the garden at the end of a Christmas tramp led by quelbay artists Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights.
Revelers make their way up Main Street Thursday morning. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
Dozens of revelers — some in pajamas and more in Santa hats — danced behind a stage mounted on a trolley, pulled by a tow truck.
“I like it, I like it; once I get started, I’m good,” said bandleader Stanley Jacobs. It was apparent that the crowd liked it too, as they broke into the Electric Slide as they entered the site.
Electric Sliders dance before dawn. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
Up on the bandstand, the organization’s president, Paul Jones, welcomed those who reached the garden on the foreday morning. “For nearly half a century, Challenge of the Carols has been heard at Virgin Islands celebrations, blending the joy of Christmas with the richness of our culture, our history, and our people,” Jones said.
Cultural Christmas question displayed on a sign and in song. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
With that, the caroling began with the group, Voices of Love, performing a tune in an echo-caroling style with half of the group facing the rest across the span of the bandstand.
Voices of Love (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
The University of the Virgin Islands Concert Choir, the Merry Caroliers, Bethel Baptist Missionary Church Choir entertained, followed by a choir from the Church of God Prophecy and the lighthearted Party Hardie Caroliers.
Performances by featured soloists and groups were interspersed between the choirs, including Lorna Freeman Woodley, Jeannette Rhymer, Daryl Lewis, Roxanne Sciliaronne, the CAHS Class of 1968 and others.
Spectators socialized in the crowd making acquaintances new and old. Settled into a sling chair, Eric Baynes said how much he enjoyed this year’s Christmas celebration. Baynes said that for him, the musical tramp leading into the garden “gives you incentive to get up early and enjoy everything.”
For Seretta Jordan from Los Angeles, the Challenge of the Carols was a first-time experience. “I’m enjoying it,” she said, “It’s the unity, the love, it’s everything.”
Organizers with Emancipation Garden Christmas Card, Inc. paid tribute to — among others — musician Louis Taylor, the lead singer of Louis Taylor and Friends, who performed at the event every year since joining the organization. Taylor died earlier this year. Taylor received a posthumous honor: the Spirit of Christmas Award.
Past and present participants who have contributed to the success of the challenge were honored Thursday morning, including music educator Howard Jones, recipient of the 2025 Governor’s Award; Lillian Moolenar for the Luther Robles Award; and the Esther Marks Award was presented to the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School Rotary Interact Club.
The Honorable Choir Conductor Award went to Sara C. Watlington Connell.
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