Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Maryknoll Christmas Concert 2013


On Friday 13th, the Maryknoll choir composed of Fathers, Brothers, Sisters, Lay Missioners, Employees and a few volunteers from off-campus, gave a rousing 1 hour and 15 minute musical tour de force to celebrate the Advent Christmas season.

Under the capable baton of Mr. Christopher Reilly, Maryknoll music director, and accompanied by Mr. Joe Nigro on the organ, the choir regaled the packed house of 325 attendees with works by Mozart and Händel and jazzed up versions of traditional carols like "O Come All Ye Faithful."

Sr. Ann Hayden's crystal clear soprano voice soloed on several melodies, including the Magnificat and Fr. Ed Szendrey's tenor/baritone voice was perfect for "Gesù Bambino" --in Italian!

The choir had been practicing weekly since October and in recent weeks added two or three rehearsals each week. Their efforts seem to have paid off as even  those who did not attend (or watch on the in-house Channel 15) had heard by word of mouth how moving the evening was.

Then yesterday, (Tuesday Dec. 17) the choir got to put their efforts to good use again for a mini-concert on the second floor over at the Maryknoll Sisters.

That plus the mini snow storm that blanketed us for the third time so far this season did indeed give a feeling of Christmas.