MANITOULIN—Those who attended the Island Singers concert, Music for a Silent Night, last weekend heard an exceptional event. The concert, conducted by Chris Theijsmeijer, transported them into a corner of the heavens where ethereal music resides.
“Every song gave me goosebumps,” said Rose Diebolt after the concert.
The Island Singers opened in a reflective tone as various members sang a brief line about what “Christmas Is” to them. The song is a lovely arrangement of two familiar holiday songs which leave the audience with wishes for a Merry Christmas.
“Jubilate, Alleluia!” clipped along with enthusiasm as the choir lifted their voices with pure joy of singing.
New to the Island, violinist Sonya Mulder accompanied the choir for the song “Pavane for a Silent Night” set to the music of Maurice Ravel. The score perfectly showcased the solemn dance between the violin and the piano accompaniment performed by Mike McCormick.
So identified with Christmas is the splendid work of the “Messiah” that we’ve come to expect to hear at least one portion of this classic oratorio. This is where the Island Singers lifted the audience into the heavens. Their performance of the monumental “For Unto Us a Child is Born” was filled with soaring melodies and sheer musicality. Choir and audience together were transported into the wonder and tenderness of the Child’s birth, a babe who, resoundingly would be called “Wonderful Counsellor, The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” As the song closed with a violin-piano filigree, our spirits were filled, knowing that in the dark season of Christmas, there is always light and hope.
The concert might have ended here, and all would go home completely satisfied. But there was more.
The next set of songs, introduced by chorister Ray Bauman in Spanish, English, Dutch and possibly a few other languages, came from countries around the globe. “Fum, Fum, Fum” sung by the choir came from Spain.
A group of eight singers from Kagawong brought us the Austrian, “Snow Carol” (Still, Still, Still) beautifully layering three melodies on top of each other, perhaps like layers of snow on a Manitoulin evening. The group continued with the contrasting jazzy version of the British carol, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.”
The choir returned to the stage for a carol from France, “Sing We Now of Christmas” with a stirring arrangement, full of flair for the singers, and a wildly challenging piano accompaniment brought to life by Mike McCormick.
“Fruitcake” was a wacky piece, a recipe for making the holiday cake. I don’t know if it was the long bass notes droning out about sifting the flour, or the sopranos chirping at electric speed the need for cinnamon, or maybe it was the tenors talking over everyone about the nuts, but when the full choir was engaged, everyone was laughing.
After the intermission the tenors and basses returned to the stage to sing, “I Believe in Father Christmas” arranged by Mike McCormick, orchestrated with Sonya Mulder on the violin.
Following this, the voices of the trio, Ramona Jaggard, Annalee Cooper and Michelle Cooper blended perfectly in the gentle Brahms “Lullaby.” The song especially showcased the soprano voice which easily soared with beautifully sung phrases.
The next song “Boxing Day,” was also composed by Mike McCormick, who is the guitarist in the famous comic group, The Arrogant Worms. The group regularly produces songs on their website called “Patreon.” “Boxing Day” is destined to be a seasonal classic about the unrestrained push to shop for deals right after Christmas. In the premier performance of this song, the Theijsmeijer brothers, Chris and Arik, along with Mike brought laughter to all as they reminded us how ridiculous humans can be on the day immediately after Christmas.
Ethan Theijsmeijer’s solo, “Song for a Winter’s Night” by Gordon Lightfoot, painted a sad picture. The song is a love letter that reminds us of our dear ones who we miss so much at Christmas time, those who we long to hold once again. Young Ethan accompanied his singing with deft guitar stylings.
Always a highlight of the Island Singers concert is when the audience joins in to sing. The combined voices on “Silent Night” was anything but silent and filled the church with lovely, full-hearted song. The Little Current United Church might want to check that their roof is still intact.
While still on the nighttime theme, the women of the Island Singers sang about the constellation, “Orion,” the warrior high above the earth whose stars reveal themselves one by one as twilight turns to darkness. Hidden within this seemingly gentle piece are complex harmonies, difficult rhythms and a four-part vocal range which the women performed with exceptional skill and sensitivity.
Perhaps one of my favourite songs was “Underneath the Starry Skies.” Centred in the middle of the song was the traditional lullaby, “Sleep My Child and Peace Attend Thee.” Several in the audience could be seen singing the lullaby with their eyes closed, no doubt remembering when they sang this song to their little ones.
Even through the long nights of winter, “Dawn” eventually comes. And because the nights are long, we often get to see the sun rise in the mornings. This modern piece uses musical word painting to convey the feeling of those first rays creeping over the horizon. The Island Singers gave us shivers as we felt the sun come up.
If “For Unto Us” was the highlight of the first half of the concert, “Love’s Pure Light” was perhaps the high point in the entire concert. This song blends the words and melody of “Silent Night” into a gorgeous new concert piece that soars and floats with five-part harmonies, building from a gentle start into a full fortissimo acclaiming that the tender babe was the Son of God. The arrangement falls to a quiet peace as the choir closes on a simple, sustained chord. I hope to hear this song again soon.
We were delighted to hear Katelyn Lentir accompany the choir on her upright bass, adding some swing foundation to the jazzy Christmas carol “Swing Down Angels.”
The Island Singers closed with “A Vaughan Williams Christmas,” which left us with the reminder—sing joy, sing joy!
Next year, the Island Singers will be celebrating 60 years of performance on Manitoulin. The choir began back in the ‘60s as the Little Current Glee Club under the direction of Ruth Ashley, which became the Manitoulin Glee Club in the ‘70s, and eventually transformed to become The Island Singers in the late ‘80s under Dorothy Anstice’s leadership. Plans are underway for a Spring concert which will bring together those who have sung with the choir over the years. Anyone who has been part of the choir is invited to connect with Chris Theijsmeijer or one of the choir members. Stay tuned as details of this exciting event come together.
