A notorious Toronto holiday tradition, the longest-running at the venerable music hall, this year marked the 59th annual rendition of the concert, a showcase of both sacred and secular choral repertoire that initiated the Christmas spirit for so many in attendance.
Geoffrey Rawlinson said the performance continues to be the pinnacle of anticipation for students and staff alike, just as it was during the concert’s early years.
“The one common theme that we share with all of our alumni from the 1930s up until now has been putting on this Christmas concert. Our founder Msgr. (Edward) Ronan had said that the Christmas concert was an opportunity for the boys to let their hair down so to speak, to do non-secular pieces and pieces that have Christmas themes,” the executive director of the choir school said.
Historically, the concert began at the school’s original location at 66 Bond St. around the corner from Massey Hall before growing out of the auditorium and performing at the iconic venue in 1965. An alumnus himself, Rawlinson recalled the joy that singing on the stage brought him and his fellow classmates each year — especially around Christmas time.
St. Michael’s Choir School’s alumni played an important role in this year’s concert. For the first time, choirs were melding together, giving the audience the unique experience of hearing pieces performed by past and present students together. This was done through the tenor bass, senior and junior choirs. Apart from the beautiful sound produced, Rawlinson noted the fellowship aspect as particularly touching and important when mixing choir groups.
“It created this sense of brotherhood and the ability to present our repertoire joined together in a way that really strengthens those bonds of brotherhood together,” he said. “It was not only unique for the audience, but for the alumni who love singing in general and also for the eight-year-olds, the younger kids to see how much fun the alumni had with it.”
The boys-only choir school worked together to present works such as Vivladi's "Gloria," as well as classics like "O Come, All Ye Faithful" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." In total, over 300 voices took to the stage across the evening, making for a grand display of musical talent that lived up to the school's mission of forming Catholic men through the service of sacred music.
Rawlinson was pleased to see the preparations of the students and alumni come together so harmoniously. He recalled that upon his arrival as executive director in late May, the first challenge he left with his conductors was to ensure an awe-inspiring Christmas concert.
The conductors delivered through months of constant preparation and rehearsal. Elements such as creative stage production complete with magnificent lighting effects added to the beauty of the event and echoed the concert theme of light, exemplified by the stars on Christmas morning.
“The team nailed what we wanted this to look like visually and even the use of our instrumentation with brass, using wine glasses filled with water and the many orchestra instruments, we couldn’t have asked for better execution,” Rawlinson said. “I don't think there are many other schools in North America, if not the world, that can put a Christmas concert on stage that tackle modern songs from the ’70s before very quickly transitioning into Vivaldi’s 'Gloria.' That’s a testament to what a spectacle the students were able to contribute towards.”
It’s also a testament to the talent found throughout one of the school's partners, the Archdiocese of Toronto. Students from Grades 5-12 sing Mass every weekend at St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica and come to the school from across the Archdiocese. With the dual responsibility and rushed schedule of winter came some anxiety, a feeling Rawlinson quelled through his utmost confidence in his staff and students whom he describes as “some of the very best in the world.”
While it may not matter how St. Michael’s plans to top this year’s concert when it celebrates its 60th performance next December, what continues to matter is what the event symbolizes — that the Christmas season is officially underway.
“For almost 60 years, people have flooded out of Massey Hall knowing that our concert marked the start of their Christmas celebrations and that is something we take very seriously. It is our duty to go in front of them and present something so that when they leave at the end of the night, they know Christmas is here, and they have a smile on their face.”