The 2009 Holiday Concert created winter nostalgia for all in attendance. The classic pieces performed by the Sherwood Chorale and the Children’s Chorus, along with several specialty numbers, combined for three wonderful concerts that left concert attendees with a sense of peace and reminiscence over the weekend of December 5th and 6th, 2009.
The first half of the show focused on fun, traditional carols from holidays past. A brass ensemble made up of local musicians started the concert with Angels We Have Heard on High, arranged by Canadian Brass. The Sherwood Chorale followed with its rendition of It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, arranged by Alan Bilingsley and later Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson, arranged by Andy Beck.
The Children’s Chorus continued with a classic kids favorite–The Night Before Christmas, arranged by Mark Weston, and later brought the kid in all of us out by singing Believe, arranged by Mac Huff for The Polar Express . An octet of future Children’s Chorus members entertained the audience with All I want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth.
Two adult ensemble groups also got into the act. A mixed men and women’s quintet sang White Christmas, arranged by Audrey Snyder, and an all ladies group dazzled the audience with Nutcracker Jingles, arranged by Chuck Bridwell.
After a brief intermission, the music then centered on the meaning of the holiday season. Once again the brass ensemble opened with another Canadian Brass arranged carol, O Come, O Come Emmanuel. Two specialty numbers followed: The Gift of the Magi narrative by O Henry, abridged by Kim Aanderud and performed by Harvey Brown, and a vocal duet by Jillyn Chang and Bryan Hoerr who sang The Gift, arranged by Jim Brickman. Also, Matthew Flanagan sang Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head, arranged by Richard D. Row and accompanied by Jenny Arave on the piano.
The Sherwood Chorale added to the peaceful evening by singing Holy Night, Silent Night, arranged by Ruth E. Schram and See Dat Babe, a Christmas spiritual arranged by Stacey V. Gibbs. The Children’s Chorus and the Chorale harmonized beautifully while singing together O Come to Bethlehem, arranged by Ruth E. Schram.
The concert concluded traditionally by inviting the audience to join the Chorale in singing Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus.
The weekend of May 8-9 marked the 5th anniversary of the formation of the Sherwood Chorale. To help celebrate on Friday, renown concert pianist Michael Allen Harrison and award winning vocalist Julianne Johnson shared their incredible talents, thrilling choir members and audience alike with their soul felt interpretations of songs such as “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “Sweet Love,” and “Feeling Good.”
Julianne surprised the choirs by inviting them to the stage to sing backup for a gospel rendition of “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.” With Michael at the piano and Julianne teaching each part as the song progressed, it was live music at its best. For the Chorale and Children’s choir it was an experience to remember as it was spontaneous and exuberant. Michael and Julianne had an energy and dynamic that worked perfectly. It was a thrill and a pleasure to have them perform for us in our small town.
