More than anything, the “Merry Christmas Music” concert presented by the Moraine Chorale and Chamber Singers on Dec. 6 was more than singing – it was a “choral experience” led by ringmaster Nick Thomas.
Thomas’ enthusiasm and creativity made this show more than a choir concert; it really was an experience weaving together threads of music, inspiration, humor, education, interaction and fun.
“You’re going to see things you ain’t never seen, and we don’t give refunds,” he exclaimed.
When he began leading the community-based Moraine Chorale and student member Chamber Singers 27 years ago, Thomas noted he started out with 10 members. The stage for this concert was saturated with 80 singers, not including the 15-member chamber orchestra.
After opening the concert with the national anthem, Thomas encouraged the audience of the sold-out show to say hello and Merry Christmas to the person sitting next to them. Before continuing, Thomas changed into a Santa-themed jacket along with a towering Santa hat. Every few songs in the program, a new colorful jacket or hat would slowly descend from the rafters or be delivered via a special guest – Frosty the Snowman – so Thomas could execute a costume change. From flashing lights to gold tinsel-laden sleeves, the audience never knew what surprises the next wardrobe choice would bring as each costume shed through the performance was piled next to Thomas’ music table.
Following intermission, Thomas dressed in an inflatable costume where he was an elf “carried” on stage by Santa. The nature of the costume gave him some challenges while conducting, but it was nothing he couldn’t handle as he cast comedic glares into the audience. After conducting one song in the outfit, he changed into some green, jingling slippers along with a new jacket and hat.
Then there was the music itself. Through its Build the Choral Library fund, the ensemble performed 11 new pieces, including “Sing We Now of Fife and Drum,” “Extraordinary Merry Christmas,” “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” and “Jazz Waltz of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” all assembled in just six rehearsals. They even sung a special rendition of “Happy Birthday” (to the tune of “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah) to recognize a chorale member who turned 95 a few days prior. Thomas exclaimed the song was for anyone else in the audience celebrating a recent or upcoming birthday.
“Bet you’re not gonna hear THAT at your church choir,” Thomas remarked.
Along with the honeyed and harmonic sounds of each choir, the audience was encouraged to tap their toes, clap or sing. Thomas gave listeners lines to sing for specific songs, even as simple as “jing-a-ling-a jing-a-ling-a jing-a ling ling.” Near the end of the nearly three-hour show, he invited all the children in the crowd up on stage to help him
conduct and bust a move. Their wide grins and unabashed, enthusiastic movements couldn’t betray their delight during “DJ Play a Christmas Song.”
Hearing the audience laughing at Thomas’ antics, singing and clapping to well-known holiday tunes, and cooing at the children dancing onstage was enough to encourage anyone to come back again on May 2 for the group’s spring “choral experience.”
Don’t miss the Chorale and Chamber Singers performance of Broadway, Pop, Motion Picture Spectacular! On Saturday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. Get tickets 24/7 at morainevalley.edu/fpac/tickets or contact the box office Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 708-974-5500.
