Everett Chorale’s holiday concert soothed a Grinch’s heart

On Dec. 8, I had the pleasure of attending the Everett Chorale Holiday Concert at the Everett Performing Arts Center.

Since I am generally somewhat of a Grinch at this time of year, it is high praise to say that I thought it, perhaps, the most entertaining and uplifting holiday choral concert I have ever attended. The group’s director, Jennifer Rodgers, engaged the audience from the start with her down-to-earth but thoughtful anecdotes about each of the pieces performed.

Besides the competent keyboard accompanist, she wisely included an expert brass quintet who ensured that the place was swinging from the start. The chorale singing was solid and sensitive.

Eyes glued to each other throughout, the singers and leader melded to one huge force of confidence, hope and joy, seemingly forgetting that their audience was even present in their enthusiasm of working together to produce such a wondrous sound.

And when the audience, music in hand, joined the performers in a rousing singing of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” all the stops were out, and even we Grinches felt tears of joy in our eyes and a semblance of holiday spirit emerging somewhere deep within. Surely, the Everett Chorale is a local treasure.

Jeanne Aldrich

Lynnwood