The Christmas Concert each year is so big, so epic, and involves so many people, I always feel inadequate to try and write up any sort of comprehensive review. In addition, a lot of choir members post experiences that their friends or loved ones had in attending the concert--and in reading through those, it's evident that each experience is uniquely personal and inspirational. So, I have to acknowledge that all I can really report on is the experience I had. Which I'll do by posting my top ten concert moments. If you want to read through some reviews by the media, please go HERE, HERE, and HERE (with a video preview HERE).
TOP TEN (in no particular order)
10. The two days before the first concert are always exciting as I get to witness the whole program coming together for the first time. Everyone has done their part individually (choir, bells, orchestra, trumpets, actors, guest artists, stage crew, etc) and then we come together to transform individual contributions into a beautiful program of peace.
9. Singing right next to Wes and Dave made the whole experience all the better. I have respect for all my bass brethren, but events like the Christmas Concert are made all the better when I get to share the experience with two friends standing right next to me. (And since this is Wes' last Christmas Concert 😢, I was glad to share it with him)
8. Hearing the story of Victor Hugo and seeing it so beautifully acted out. I had no idea Victor and his wife had opened up their home for years each week to feed homeless and needy children. It was a touching story and made me appreciate the author all the more.
7. Hearing our guest artist Michael Maliakel sing "God Help the Outcast" (here) from the film "Hunchback of Notre Dame". It's a beautiful song in its own right, but listening to the lyrics as Michael sang them with such compassion was a really emotional experience. There are so many people in this world who feel like an outcast in so many ways, and I thought about them as I listened to this song each night.
God help the outcasts
Hungry from birth
Show them the mercy they don't find on Earth
God help my people
We look to you still
God help the outcasts or nobody will
I ask for nothing, I can get by
But I know so many less lucky than I
Please help my people
The poor and down trod
I thought we all were the children of God
God help the outcasts
Children of God
6. Listening to our guest artists Michael and Leslie talk about their lives and answer questions that choir members had for them (this was done before the concert on Saturday). They are both such good people and they expressed how grateful they were to be a part of the concert and to be treated with so much love and kindness while they've been here.
5. Being asked by Wes to name my favorites songs. The question made me really think. Most of my favorites were ones being sung by Michael. So I picked two of his, and then I ended up picking one more that just the Choir did. I already mentioned one of Michael's above ("God Bless the Outcast"). Another one of my favorites from Michael was “I Wonder as I Wander”. It had significant meaning to me personally as I’ve done a lot of wondering while wandering through my pain this past year. That wondering has led to me feeling much more of Christ’s love and awareness. As far as the favorite song the Choir sang, I went with “Still, Still, Still”. As I was singing it Friday night, I really felt something. The words to that song are perfect. And again, for me personally, singing that song reminds me of the need I have to be still and be present in the moment so that I can better recognize God’s love. (Honorable mention goes to “Angels From the Realms of Glory.” I know that’s one we sing every year, but there’s nothing like singing that last note and having the audience burst forth with applause! Quite the rush.)
4. Seeing the audience respond to our performance of "Ode to Joy". Wow. I can't remember a time during the past eight Christmas Concert performances where the audience gave us a standing ovation for a song (let alone a song performed in the middle of the concert). I can't say I loved learning it (we sing it in German), but it was definitely a crowd-pleaser!
3. Being able to talk with some of my buddies during the breaks and at dinner on Saturday evening (Wes, Patrick, Jason, Matt, Ben, Willy, Clark, Jay, Alan, Siope and others). Love these guys.
2. Making eye contact with several individuals (both adults and kids) as we made our way down the aisles during the processional. I could tell it made their day to receive a smile and be acknowledged.
1. Sitting next to a friend during some downtime we had. We didn't say a lot. We just needed to sit in the space we were in emotionally, together. He and I share a reality in which we feel like we don't quite fit in (for different--but in some ways, similar reasons) and it's always nice to know we're not alone.
And now, the Choir will take a much needed two-week break.
See you all in 2024!
And until then, God be with you.
