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

Talk to us

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Tuesday, March 21

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Department of Natural Resources regional manager Allen McGuire, left, and acting bolder unit forester Tyson Whiteid, right, stand next to marker on land recently purchased by the DNR for timber harvest on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019 in Gold Bar, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Use state forestlands to ‘farm’ carbon credits

Legislation would allow the DNR to sell carbon offsets to fund reforestation and other climate work.

Harrop: Governors, ‘woke’ or not, leave boycotts to consumers

State governments shouldn’t be dictating business decisions. Consumers can use their influence.

Comment: DOJ’s Trump probes should matter most to nation

A conviction for a hush-money payment won’t keep him from running. Being guilty of insurrection could.

Comment: Disabled persons can help ease current labor shortage

There are hurdles, but the chief barrier is the attitude of employers reluctant to accommodate them.

Comment: Atmospheric rivers deliver hope for California’s summer

A recharge of reservoirs and snowpack may help the state avoid rolling blackouts during heat waves.

Getty Images, sundial
Editorial: Indifference risks loss of access to public records

Members of the state’s Sunshine Committee are questioning how much others value its work.

An addict prepares heroin, placing a fentanyl test strip into the mixing container to check for contamination, Wednesday Aug. 22, 2018, in New York. If the strip registers a "pinkish" to red marker then the heroin is positive for contaminants. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
Editorial: Legalize fentanyl test strips, then distribute them

Legislation to remove their ‘paraphernalia’ label is likely to pass, but that’s just the first step.

A man led police on a high speed chase through north Snohomish County on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020.   (Snohomish County Sheriff's Office)
Editorial: Adopt compromise on police pursuit guidelines

The legislation allows police to use reasonable suspicion but places clearer guidelines for pursuits.

Most Read