Have you heard the sound....

For 14 years now the church forms a choir in September that practices all of October and November to put on a combined performance with the Auckland Symphonic Orchestra.  Well it was tonight.  We were not going to go but then we were asked to go in place of Elder and Sister Pearson so we were happy to go.  We were told to be there early, and hour early as we would be seated first.  Well, we were going ok until we crept across the bridge with all the other thousands of cars that were headed that way.  They we got lost.  I know it is not much of an excuse but it really is the truth.  We finally got there and they took us up and told us, good luck, take any seat you can find.  Then he said:  A VIP come early!  Well, guess that means we are not very important people!  

It was a funny evening.  The orchestra had some really good numbers and some not so good.  We have not figured out yet if they are a full-time group or not.  I know that the conductor is part-time as he is director of music at a private school.  But they did some nice things.  They did several arrangements by Leroy Anderson.  Those were fun.  Then they would put up the words and everyone would sing with them.  Then His Worship the Major, Mr. Len Brown joined the orchestra on stage.  He talked about what a wonderful season Christmas is and how grateful he was for the support etc.  Then he said that we needed to join our faith and prayers for those affected by the tornado yesterday and especially for those who lost fathers.  Then the orchestra played, the audiance joined and the major used a microphone and sang: O Come All Ye Faithful.  No, he was not a vocalist but he was ok.  It was a nice  thing to do I thought.  

They sang some other songs and the choir sang and it was weird.  The numbers performed:  Once in Royal David's City, We Three Kings, It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Snoopy's Christmas, Angels Carol, Away in a Manger, Ding Dong Merrily on High, Have yourself A Merry and then the choir sang two songs that i had never heard of.  When the conductor came back out he was dressed in a Christmas red tuxedo.  He looked so funny.  And all the orchestra members had hats or something on.  The bass players had hats and beards.  

The best part was the last number.  Reverand Ron Lau'ese sang O Holy Night with the orchestra, the organ and the choir.  It was so good. He had a lovely voice and really shook the place.  Then they did an extra number.  The conductor said:  This song is never appropriate for here but it is a lovely piece:  White Christmas.  

Most of the other seniors had taken the ferry over and then walked.  We just drove and were home in not time at all.  As I was putting our soup and toast on the table the fire alarm rang in the building and we all had to evacuate and so after I reheated dinner and we finally ate about 10:45 p.m.  What an exciting Friday night!