mike’s music pages

Today, December 13, 2009,  I attended Christmas at St. Paul’s, the annual Christmas concert at St. Paul’s  Episcopal Church at 306 Peyton Road SW, Atlanta, GA. What a wonderful experience! Some concerts I attend just because I know someone on the program and want to support them. I attend concerts at St. Paul’s also because I really enjoy them. Every year the Christmas program gets better. I like concerts that have a minimum of talking. Music Director Trey Clegg and St. Paul’s choirs delivered such a concert today.

When I saw that there were twenty selections on the program, I became concerned because I thought it might be a long day, especially since the pews are not padded. However, the program moved right along. They quickly moved from one selection to the next with no pausing for applause.

The accompaniment was provided by Dr. David Oliver at the organ and members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Mr. Clegg. They all sounded like the professionals that they are.

Most of the selections were sung by St. Paul’s combined choirs, but there were also selections by the Handbell Choir, The Women’s Chorus, Voices of Praise, and the Men’s Chorus. Soloists included Darian Clonts, Marcus Hill, Persis Bristol, E. Paulette Smith Epps, and Mickey Eaddy.

The program offered a variety of music from traditional carols and spirituals to contemporary gospel and classical. I particularly enjoyed O Come, Emmanuel. The choir sang it very well and seemed confident with the piece. I know that they have done it a number of times, but each time that I have heard them sing it they have done better. Some choirs never improve, but St. Paul’s choir sounds better every Christmas season.

Other highlights of the program included soprano Ann Marie McPhail singing Mozart’s Alleluia from Exultate Jubilate, and mezzo-soprano Pamela Dillard’s solo on John Rutter’s arrangement of O Holy Night. Ms. Dillard flashed a smile at the audience and seemed to really enjoy singing the piece, especially the high B-flat that she sang so securely near the end.

I regret that I did not tell you about this concert beforehand. I’m sorry to say that I forgot to post it. However, they plan to do it again next year, so I recommend that you prepare to attend Christmas at St. Paul’s during the 2010 Christmas Season. If Director of Music Trey Clegg continues on his current trajectory, then it should once again be better than it was the year before.