Sunday, December 11, 2011

Christmas Charisma

Your local Christmas curmudgeon got her veneer cracked the other day. Donna Chaney invited me to a Women's City Club luncheon, and I don't like to miss a chance to spend time with a good friend like Donna. Nor do I like to miss a chance to visit the historic Blinn House, the Club's home at the edge of the Fuller Theological Seminary campus.

So I expect and receive a nice meal, a cup of coffee and the company of smart, entrepreneurial women. We're munching away and having a proper chat when in come these adorable kids in their charming costumes and I think, "Ah, well, there goes the conversation."

Pitch pipe gives a quiet note and BAM! These junior musical geniuses sing out Christmas carols old and new in such glorious, four-part harmonies that I actually put down my fork and shut up to listen.

I agreed with the woman next to me that they had to be college kids because they were too good to be any younger. Wrong. They're the Crescenta Valley High School Charismatics Chamber Choir, and they are super.

Of course even talented high school kids are not going to sing with that kind of precision without a lot (a lot!) of rehearsal. Wrangling that is their conductor, Mr. Shannon W. Mack. If you want to talk to him about having these charismatic cherubs serenade your Christmas soiree, contact him at smack@gusd.net.

16 comments:

Shell Sherree said...

And don't they look a treat! I love good a capella groups. They could pretty much sing anything and I'd put down my fork. You've captured their portrait beautifully, Petrea.

Dina said...

What a sweet mix of kids. God bless America.

dive said...

If they sound as good as they look they must be pretty special, Petrea.
But where's the video? You get to hear them and we don't? No fair!

Sahildeki Ev said...

They look soooo sweet..Nice outfit.

alex said...

nice! don't see too many carolers out here in Southern California.

Petrea Burchard said...

I'm sorry there's no video! As soon as I have a few thousand dollars to spare (this happens all the time) I'll buy a new camera with video and we'll all be the better for it.

Our neighborhood carolers (the little children) will be coming tonight and I'm just as excited for it.

Bellis said...

My iPhone takes videos, often accidentally when I'm trying to take a photo, but I haven't a clue how to send them to anyone else.

The photo is adorable. Lovely clothes, and happy faces. Did it put you in a Xmas mood? That's sometimes hard to do in the warmth and light of California. Here in Sweden, I can see the reason for Xmas lights. It gets dark at 2:30. It's made me excited for the day Santa flies in.

Patricia said...

What a great looking group of kids. I just love it when kids sing Christmas Carols, it doesn't matter if they are in preschool or high school.

Katie said...

What a perfect way to kick-start your holiday spirit! Your photo of these kids is wonderful; they look like a very lively group.

Petrea Burchard said...

They were pros! They'd brighten anyone's holiday season. I wouldn't mind seeing Christmas in Sweden, though--less commercially creepy, I hope.

Ms M said...

They look like they really enjoy performing together. Glad they were a treat to listen to.

Susan Campisi said...

Nothing like some good Christmas carols to get you in the spirit. Very impressive that they do four-part harmonies. I'd love to hear them.

Petrea Burchard said...

I think they had a good time. I was in a group something like this when I was in high school. We worked really hard on our pieces and we never knew what our performance spaces or audiences would be like. When you do this sort of thing, though, you get used to middle-aged ladies and banquet rooms.

Margaret said...

How sweet they look!

Anonymous said...

Curious if the interior of the Blinn House aka Pasa Womens Citiclub home was decorated for Christmas?

Petrea Burchard said...

Yes it was, Cafe. They have Christmas trees in both the living room and the dining room, plus another one on the second floor landing. There are garlands along the stair railings, too, and other touches as well. It's a pretty old house, and especially nice when it's decked out.