Going to a concert usually means just that; you go to the concert.  You are an onlooker, a listener, and your senses taking in what the performance has to offer.  But what if you were literally IN the concert?  That’s how the Boys’ Choir concert this Christmas began. The opening song “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” was in full accapella stereo as the singers encircled the audience.  The basses carried the song with a secure “hmmmm” which was smoothly taken over by the cello later on in the piece as the last of the men made their way toward the stage to complete the song.

The pieces in this weekend’s performance shared the multi-faceted relationships between fathers and sons, including the relationships of our Heavenly Father.  From comical to introspective, the topic was well  presented.  Several pieces provided refreshing sounds of multiculturalism to the ear such as “Bonse Aba” performed by the Changing Voices and Seniors, “Still, Still, Still” sung by the Juniors and “Niska Banja” presented by the Men of Note.  The rookies in this concert (aka Prepatory choir) sang with unbeatable conviction.  They definitely all had the “no turning back” attitude as they bravely and enthusiastically performed their pieces including “Christmas Bells” by K Lee Scott.  Their freshness of stage presence and the occasional off-timed bow definitely worked some endearing charm on the crowd.  The Seniors once again brought their warm spirited sound to the stage when they joined the MON in singing “The Lord’s Prayer” by David Childs.  With seamless entries and a well grounded depth to the sound, this piece was a pleasure to experience.

During the second half of the program, the audience was once again brought into the concert – or should we say the concert was brought to a particular audience member when the Men of Note went out into the crowd and invited a lady to join them on stage for a barbershop style version of “White Christmas”.  This style of strong and personable performing has become somewhat of a signature trademark for the MON to which the audience always responds well.  The program continued by showcasing some more drama based pieces including the incredibly choreographed “James Bond”.  Now here was a brilliantly thought out piece which cleverly took the concept of the multiples of Mr. Anderson (The Matrix) and combined it with the smooth yet solo James Bond.

The finale to the evening was once again the much anticipated “Dads” joining the boys on stage.  All together they rang out an impressive sounding “Zion’s Walls” and “Silent Night for All the World”.  Once again, the GP Boys’ Choir shared with us a gift of spirit for the season.

Concert review by Mary Ann Lynch, Junior Choir parent