The Aluminum Christmas Tree stole the show.
For those (like me) who are too young to remember, Christmas trees made of aluminum were all the rage in America from 1960-65. They were lightweight, and were especially eye-catching when illuminated by light from a revolving colour wheel.
That a touching musical comedy-drama sketch about such a tree could ever be created seems preposterous, but in an arrangement by Eric Lane Barnes, it was a dazzler at the Austin Gay Men’s Chorus (AGMC). The story of the tree over the last 60 years was told as one of the Chorus members, dressed in sparkly aluminum, enacted the tale with the help of some others. For the first few years the tree was loved and admired (especially by a young kid), but by the mid-60s it was relegated to a box in the attic. By the 1970s it got tossed out, and spent decades gathering dust somewhere.
Then, just last week (!), a guy saw the tree in an antique shop and bought it for $15 (including the colour wheel). It was reunited with the guy’s boyfriend, who just happened to be the grown-up kid who owned it in the 1960s. Topped once again with the star on his head, the actor/tree pranced like a sugar plum fairy in delight. I suspect a few in the audience had a tear in their eye.
The AGMC began the night with a select group singing in the lobby. And early-birds were also treated to a gentle Hawaiian dance performance by one member; it was especially nice to see as I lived in Hawaii for 2 years.
The evening’s title came from the opener, a lively recitation of The Night Before Christmas (score by the Texas composer Randol Alan Bass). Under the baton of its new Artistic Director, Dr. Thomas Rinn (pictured here), music got off to a proper English start with the Gloucestershire Wassail, featuring solosits Nathan Foster and Grayson Claunch. It tells the story of carollers in 18th century England, long before the Dickens-era English Christmas that most people are familiar with.
The photo shown below with all the chorus members holding their hands in the air is from the rollicking DJ Play a Christmas Song. It was one of many tunes that were new to me, and I was especially grateful that Somewhere Over the Rainbow was not on the bill. That is one song that should be given a well-deserved rest.
The Winter Song (a composition from 2008) was performed here in a hauntingly beautiful rendition by a select group of 15 chorus members (known collectively as Feat and Take Note). The harmony was spot on in this emotive number, with soloists Austin Powell and Justyn Florie.
Bogorodiste Devo (which translates as Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of God) is the best-known movement of Rachmaninoff’s Vespers. This sombre piece was inspired by music of the Orthodox Church (remember, Christmas day is actually Jan. 7, 2025). A 15-movement a cappella piece for chorus, it is sometimes referred to as the Russian Ave Marie. An explanation to the audience of what this – and other rarely-heard music – means, would have enhanced appreciation tremendously. Much time during the concert was taken with playing video recordings of Christmas reminiscences by various chorus members (some delightful, others over-long), so there was certainly time to give us an insight into the music.
Alegre Vengo (with lyrics by Jorge Morel) was a very fine Spanish-language entry. It is described in the e-notes by Dr. Rinn as a villancico, which would likely leave most audience members saying ‘what?’ I think this one is about coming down joyously from the mountains just to celebrate Christmas with loved ones.
The second half of the concert began with a bouncy tune, cutely named SparkleJollyTwinkleJingley. Truly something for everyone! Joni Mitchell’s evocative River was highlighted by fantastic soloists William Blake and Scott Wallace.
The small group Take Note took to the stage once again in a marvellous rendition of I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day; and they joined with members of Feat one more time in The Work of Christmas. While the former is well-known, the latter (by Howard Thurman, 1899-1981) will be new to most. Some of his poem, now set to music, is worth printing:
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins.
The concert began with music from England, and rightly ended with music from Scotland: Robbie Burns’ all-time classic Auld Lang Syne. This was performed in a very upbeat tempo and was a sheer delight.
Overall, a sterling performance by our very own Austin guys. They deserve the support of the community, so please check out their website below to consider a donation.
The event was held once again at First Austin Church on 9th Street, downtown Austin.
To learn more about AGMC, visit their website: www.atxgmc.org