fa la la la la

There's been so many wonderful Christmas music concerts around the town the past week. I love it! It's so fun being able to walk out our door, down the street, and into a beautiful old church with others, young and old, students and families - all gathered to sing and celebrate.

Last Sunday, Handel's Messiah was performed by the St. Andrews Chamber Choir at Holy Trinity Church. That's just a must-hear every Christmas so I was thankful to get to attend and in such a beautiful setting!

Then, last night the St. Andrews Chorus (featuring yours truly, my friend Kendall and about 100 other St. Andrews citizens) performed Faure's Rancine de Jean Racine, the world premiere of Paul Mealor's Stabet Mater, and Hayden's Nelson Mass. We've had rehearsals every Friday evening this semester and it's been so fun getting to be a part of a choir again. Our neighbors watched Ivy so Kevin could come... I'll go ahead and speak for him and say it was the musical highlight of the season :) The storied walls of Younger Hall could scarcely hold the applause! haha.

{St. Andrews Chorus December 11, 2010}

And tonight, some of our friends watched Ivy and let Kevin & I attend a Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church and it was so beautiful! I wish I had pictures of the inside to show you all.... just envision a huge, stain-glassed chapel with massive columns and a gigantic Christmas tree all lit up at the end of a long, dramatic central aisle. We sang some traditional carols with an enormous organ. Glorious! But all of the melodies were different which was a little disappointing when you want to hear the familiar tunes. Oh well. We'll get that in Texas :)

Music is such a gift from the Lord, especially during the Christmas season. I'm glad it's not over yet!

found one!

(Holy Trinity Church St. Andrews, image from google}