The Columbia Children’s Concert Choir was invited to sing with the Seattle Symphony, and Pops conductor Marvin Hamlisch for 5 concerts during December 2011.
Benaroya Hall holds 2,600 concert goers and each night they received a standing ovation.
The program was gorgeous, with every Christmas tune you would love to hear at this time of the year! Even Hamlisch’s own Hanukkah song and an Irving Berlin song about a piano, made their way into the program. Soloist Rachel DeShon sang Ava Maria with Hamlisch on the piano.
As for the choir, they sang:
Carol of the Bells – which is their signature piece; they sang it with Steve Stevens conducting and without the Symphony, and it was awesome! Gave us goosebumps to hear their voices fill the hall.
They sang with the soloist on:
O Holy Night
Chanukah Lights
Star of Bethlehem
They did a 4-song sing a-long:
Jingle Bells
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Hark! The Herarld Angels Sing
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Then they closed with the choir-only version of Silent Night, and then White Christmas with the orchestra and 2 soloists chiming in. It was amazing.
After Carol of the Bells, Marvin Hamlisch came out to greet the choir. He first starts off by pointing out, “The luckiest man in the room” because Eric M. was on the alto side surrounded by all of the girls. It was adorable. And his twin, Andrew was on the soprano side, next to the other two boys in the choir. So, Marvin made sure he said a few things about that. Each night, he spoke to 3 or 4 of the choir members.
The afternoon Greg and I were there, he asked Heather her name, age, and what school she attends. Then asked, “Do you want to continue singing when you get older?” She said, “Yes, I want to be famous!” Then he handed her the microphone and walked away from her. It was comical.
It was an amazing experience, one Heather will not soon forget. She very much enjoy Mr. Hamlisch and how he entertained them and the audience.
This is a short version of Carol of the Bells, (you have to click on the picture to get it started). Recorded in the Grand Lobby of Benaroya; the Saturday, Dec. 3rd, 2011, they were invited to entertain the children and patrons who were waiting for the concert that day.
We are saddened by the loss of our Seattle Pops Conductor, Marvin Hamlisch.
Marvin Hamlisch, Oscar-winning composer, dies at 68
http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=748905&ocid=ansent11
King 5 report and video interview with soloist Rachel Deshon; Rachel sang at the Seattle Symphony POPS concert last December, with Heather’s choir and Marvin Hamlisch conducting. Hamlisch told the audience about Rachel, how they met and brought personality to the performance that made it lively and fun to be a part of. He was a treasure, and will be missed.
http://www.king5.com/home/Marvin-Hamlischs-mentee-on-the-way-he-was–165362456.html