IT'S December, which means that nasty four-letter word casts its pall over the holiday season -- rush, rush, rush. Driving here and driving there, circling around for parking, buzzing the aisles for bargains. Hey, I saw that first! Take time to hear
the music of the seasonWhat a relief to sit back on Friday night and revel in St. Andrew's Priory's annual Christmas concert in magnificent St. Andrew's Cathedral on Beretania Street.
While waiting for the music to commence, the mind (and blood pressure) races along with a mental list of the upcoming weekend's errands, until mellow Gordon Tokishi steps forward in his jolly red blazer.
The smiling bands' director for the all-girl school raises his baton, and members of the Beginning Band, certainly the most nervous because of their novice status, belt out "First Christmas Overture" and "Jingle Bells" with gusto.
Next up is the Intermediate Band, with cheery tunes including "Joyeux Noel, "Happy Holidays" and "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow."
Then the Advanced Intermediate Band takes the stage, offering "A Christmas Journey," "Silver Bells" and "Jingle Bell Rock" among its toe-tapping repertoire.
Hmmm, yes. This is all very nice. Our frazzled bodies involuntarily begin to relax. Once overly tense souls suddenly remember: 'Tis the season. Why not enjoy it?
Then comes the finale of the evening, the mature and advanced musicians of the Select Wind Ensemble. They are dressed in white shirts, black pants, and red suspenders and bow ties. Some of the seniors wear playful reindeer antlers.
As they begin to play, eyes open wide in the audience and a murmur rolls through the church. Wow, they are good! They perform selections from "The Nutcracker Suite," old English Christmas songs and a medley of holiday favorites.
The beginning, intermediate and intermediate advanced students are entranced by the caliber of talent in the Select Wind Ensemble. Their eyes are respectful and wistful; one day, they too may join the best of the best.
Meanwhile, the mere mortals in the pews, many of them parents, are now caught up in the celebratory mood. They start to sing along.
Formerly tired eyes drink in the setting -- the majestic columns, graceful arches and huge dome of the cathedral. Ears, once deaf to the true spirit of the season, are impressed by the acoustics.
It is a moving experience. Just like James Stewart said. What a wonderful life.
Too soon, the concert is pau. People stream toward their cars. The girls store their instruments away. And vehicles rev up and roar back into traffic.
BUT something is different, at least for this appreciative and grateful audience member. The Scrooge in me is dead, dead, dead, because I was touched by an angel -- angels of music, to be exact.
The talented students of St. Andrew's Priory brought forth a reminder about the meaning of Christmas. It isn't about shopping, gorging, fighting over a parking space or getting stressed to the max. It's much more.
To help jog the memory, embrace the quotation, "Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak."
In this hectic world, and at this crazy time of the year, it takes a lot of effort to search out the music. It takes even more effort to really listen.
Hey, merry you know what!