THE ARTS ETC

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CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR

Springfield Symphony Orchestra

Kevin Rhodes, Music Director

Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 7:30 PM

REVIEWED BY DEBRA TINKHAM

The Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s (SSO) “Christmas Spectacular” was a spectacular December event. Greeting an impressively full venue, Maestro Kevin Rhodes entered with his usual energy and immediately began the program.

Soloist Amy Johnson, along with the SSO Women’s Chorus, opened the program with “I Saw Three Ships,” and was immediately followed by baritone, John Salvi, singing Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.”

Next was a traditional Afro-American number, “Children, Go Stand Where I Send Thee,” sung by the 67-voice Children’s Chorus of Springfield (CCS). This relatively new group co-founded in 2007, by Vera Baker and Wayne Abercrombie “…is providing an opportunity for children across the city to unite by learning quality music of many styles and experiencing the power of building community and cultural bridges. The chorus was founded on the belief that children who develop musical skills through singing also develop the important life skills of teamwork, discipline, responsibility and self-control. CCS is an ambassadorial group of children whose artistry and enthusiasm show the synergy of Springfield’s many cultural heritages and the bright future the city has in its children. The chorus has performed at many civic and cultural venues in the region. The chorus is currently In-Residence at Trinity United Methodist Church in Springfield, The church donates space for weekly rehearsals and performances.”

Rhodes added that this fine young group only gets to practice with the professional musicians of the SSO and encouraged all present (full house indeed) to contact their various mayors and government officials to “get the music back in the schools!” Finally they sang, “Ding, Dong, Merrily On High,” with perfect diction and appropriate orchestra phrasing as well as suitable, clean breaks for effective punctuation.

While Rhodes explained the necessity for some “stage management” – the orchestra played “O Tannenbaum,” as the children’s choir quietly exited stage right and the Springfield Symphony Chorus (SSC) entered stage left.

Nikki Stoia, Choral Director of the SSC, conducted a syncopated a capella version of “Little Drummer Boy.” Soloists Wanda Sharpe, Gregory Sutton andBilly Arnold also demonstrated some mighty strong “pipes.” The powerful voices of Tania Greene and Shaina Paris soloed Avery Sharpe’s syncopated gospel version of “Do You Hear What I Hear?”

An Avery Sharpe arrangement of “What Child Is This?” by the Extended Family Choir (EFC), a 29-voice choir with Kevin Sharpe as Director and Avery Sharpe as Founder, Composer and Arranger was described in the program: “Organized in 1994, I needed a gospel choir to record on my 1995 Extended Family II – ‘Thoughts of My Ancestors’, jazz CD. I enlisted the help of my brother, Kevin, to assemble some of the best singers in Western MA.

“The entire concept of Sharpe’s ground breaking CD trilogy was inspired by his father James C. Sharpe Sr., along with Avery’s mother, Evelyn. His parents taught him and his seven siblings the importance of family, extended family and great values. Keeping with the theme of family, Avery decided to name the choir ‘The Extended Family Choir.’ The choir has performed with Sharpe in concert halls and famous jazz clubs throughout the USA. This is the Choir’s fourth performance with SSO. The EFC would like to thank the Reverend Brett Snowden and the Progressive Community Baptist Church in Springfield for their use of the church for rehearsals.”Moving right along, Tenor vocalist, Alan Schneider soloed in “Winter Wonderland,” and then Rhodes graciously assisted the audience in a sing along rendition of a “Holly Jolly Christmas Medley” with such favorites as “Jingle Bells, The Holly and the Ivy, Jolly Old St. Nicholas, Frosty the Snowman, Up on the Housetop, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Joy to the World and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

Finally, Santa made an appearance , joining Rhodes for some holiday joking and bantering. The two have the nucleous of their own situation comedy act. Santa asked Rhodes if he had been a good boy and Rhodes replied, “Ask my wife, Jane.” Jane responded with, “Spectacular!” Prior to this “Christmas Spectacular,” there was a free raffle for two $100.00 dine-out coupons to four local restaurants ($25.00 per restaurant). Rhodes chose concertmaster Masako Yanagita to pick the two winners. Santa then strolled the aisles as the SSO and SSC performed a presto “Twelve Days of Christmas.” Again, the phrasing and pauses (punctuation) placed an effective emphasis on “cleanness” versus boring repetition.

Salvi and Schneider performed a beautiful duet of “Oh Holy Night.” Schneider’s full and high range voice rang out over SSO and SSC. It was beautiful. Then, the SSC sang a beautiful and harmonic rendition of “Carol of the Bells” followed by Amy Johnson again soloing with the orchestra to “Alleluia.” Her range and clarity reminded me of a crisp cool spring morning when the birds are just beginning to sing. Johnson’s pure tone and apparent love of her music made it a joy to watch as well as listen to her.

Then the Christmas lights came on and the beautiful, large wreath that is strategically placed center stage began to blink. This had truly been a musical extravaganza. The SSO began a “Christmas at Home Medley” with “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, I’ll Be Home for Christmas”, with Schneider singing the solo, and “We Need a Little Christmas.”

Baritone Salvi performed a touching version of “Silent Night” joined by the SSO and SSC. The house was alive with the sound of music. Sadly the ending was drawing near and what better choice than Rhodes’ beloved composer George Frideric Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” from his “Messiah.” This was a rare and beautiful evening! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.