CHRISTMAS IN STYLE

                                                  HOLIDAY CONCERT
                                               

On Saturday afternoon two friends from my Book Club and I attended a Holiday Concert that was being presented by The Arvada Chorale  One of the performers was another member of our Book Club--it was a Holiday Concert entitled Christmas in Style  The Chorale is presenting 3 concerts throughout the year and this was the first in the series--I had attended a concert last year and thought I knew what to expect and while I had enjoyed the previous concert I was surprised by this one--Special Guests were the Park Hill Brass, a group of jazz musicians; the group is composed of 10 members, 5 of whom were the ensemble for that afternoon's concert  Their instruments were two trumpets, a tuba, a trombone and one French horn-- The music they performed consisted of Fanfare on Joy to the World, I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing in and *Il est ne le Divin Enfant/Carol of the Bells--The Chorale and Brass then combined to perform A Little Jazz Mass written by Bob Chilcott--I have since learned that Chilcott is a British Choral composer, singer and conductor well known for his compositions for children's Choirs--I was impressed by the Music Director, a woman with short, spiky hair who obviously had a good sense of humor and an awareness of the serious side of life--she approached the music with passion and creativity--I read in the program notes that in 2005 she formed a women's chamber ensemble who "are dedicated to the synergy of music, passion and excellence" The Chorale Accompanist was a multi-talented musician, as well as a teacher and composer

The Chorale then took center stage and performed Christmas Time is Here and It's a Wonderful Christmas including Because It's Christmas (For All the Children) which had all three of us wiping tears from our eyes because it was so beautifully done and the powerful emotions raised by the words of that song were not ones of sadness but at least for me one of wistfulness and hope for a better world--The mood was lightened by the rendition of Calypso Christmas and finally The Twelve Days of Christmas Confusion, a comedic rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas complete with props of palm trees, partridges, boar's head on a platter, funny hats and twinkling lights--it was choreographed chaos and left everyone laughing and ready for refreshments and intermission! After this interlude the Chorale and Brass combined to perform Big Band Santa, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and a heartfelt Mary Did You Know? which had us wiping tears from our eyes again--The Park Hill Brass then had us bobbing our heads and tapping our feet to Sleigh Ride and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer  The Brass and Chorale combined once again to give a lively rendition of Go Tell It--Finally the Music Director asked  us all to wish for peace and to join them in Silent Night--another powerful moment--After much applause the Brass and Chorale left the stage, leaving us talking and expressing our surprise and pleasure at such a wonderful concert--what a wonderful addition to the holiday season  Several days later we are still talking about it and feeling the warmth and joy of the season!

"Because It's Christmas"
(Written by Barry Manilow)

Unto us a son is given
Unto us a son is given
Unto us a son is given
Unto us a child is born
Tonight the stars shine for the children
And light the way for dreams to fly
Tonight our love comes wrapped in ribbons
The world is right
And hopes are high
And from a dark
And frosted window
A child appears
To search the sky

Because it's Christmas
Because it's Christmas
Tonight belongs to all the children
Tonight their joy rings through the air
And so we send our tender blessings
To all the children everywhere
To see the smiles and hear the laughter
A time to give
A time to share

Because it's Christmas
For now and forever
For all of the children
And for the children in us all
Tonight belongs to all the children
Tonight their joy rings through the air
And so we send our tender blessings
To all the children everywhere
To see the smiles and hear the laughter
A time to give
A time to share

Because it's Christmas
For now and forever
For all of the children
And for the children in us


 *He is born, the divine Child    


See also spongefullofthoughts @.blogspot .com --A Jazzy Christmas