Last Friday, December 5, Flagler College welcomed the holiday season with one of its most beloved traditions: an evening of caroling that brought together students, faculty, staff, and neighbors to share music and cheer throughout downtown St. Augustine.
The celebration began in the historic Ponce de Leon Rotunda, where members of the Flagler College Choir, joined by community participants, filled the space with classic Christmas carols. The sound of their voices rising beneath the Rotunda’s iconic dome set a festive tone for the evening. Afterward, guests enjoyed holiday refreshments before heading out into the surrounding neighborhood.
“This event is one of my favorite parts of the year,” Kip Taisey, director of the Music and Musical Theatre Program, said. “There is something truly magical about watching our students use their talents to bring joy to our campus and the St. Augustine community. This tradition reminds us of what music is all about - connection, generosity, and celebration.”
From the Rotunda, the carolers made their way through the streets, stopping first at the Ximenez-Fatio House’s Night Market, where shoppers and vendors paused to listen and sing along.
“This is an event the whole neighborhood looks forward to each year,” said Tom Day, longtime Flagler Model Land resident and President of the Town and Gown Committee. “Hearing the students’ voices echo through the neighborhood is a reminder of how special this community is.”
The final stop of the evening was a holiday gathering hosted by downtown neighbors Joe and Daria Boles, who welcomed the carolers with warm hospitality. Their home, glowing with Christmas lights, provided a fitting backdrop for the last songs of the night.
For student Music Ambassador Katherine Hayes, the experience was both meaningful and memorable. “It was incredible to see how much joy this brought to people,” she said. “Singing in the Rotunda is special, but sharing that music out in the community, seeing the smiles, hearing people sing with us, that’s what made the night truly magical.”
As the carolers dispersed and the final notes drifted into the cool December air, one thing was clear: the annual tradition once again brought warmth, connection, and holiday spirit to both the Flagler College campus and the wider St. Augustine community.
