By Crystal Hayduk, slideshow by Alan Ashley
(Note: This article is part of a series highlighting Chelsea School District’s music program and related events.)
The First United Methodist Church on Park Street overflowed with music lovers at both the 3 and 7 p.m. Hometown Holiday Concert performances on Dec. 2.
Even more impressive was the gathering of 135 musicians from Chelsea and Dearborn performing together during the choral portion of the multi-part concert.
This year’s concert began with the Chelsea Chamber Players (CCP), along with selected Chelsea High School (CHS) string students, playing the Holberg Suite, Op. 40 by Edvard Grieg. “It is a beautiful suite in the standard repertoire that showcases all sections of a string orchestra,” said Sara Cumming, president of CCP and the group’s cellist.
Steve Hinz, CHS choir director, introduced the partnership between Chelsea’s Bella Voce and Troubadours choirs and Dearborn’s Fordson High School choir, directed by Matthew Laura. “Two communities, recognizing our differences, celebrating the humanity we share,” said Hinz. “Making a noise louder than the rhetoric of hate that fills our world.”
Michael Ibrahim, founder and director of the National Arab Orchestra, performed with and conducted the choirs as they sang two selections in Arabic. “Music is the shortest path to show how alike we are,” Ibrahim said in his opening remarks as he explained the common themes of love and home in the songs, written by the Rahbani Brothers, who are Lebanese composers.
The choirs also performed “American Rhapsody” by Z. Randall Stroope. The concert ended with the audience participating in a traditional Christmas carol sing-along.
The partnership between CHS and Fordson High School was the result of a chance meeting at the Michigan School Vocal Music Association Summer Conference. “I was presenting a session on Music Cultural Exchanges: A Toolkit for Success, to provide my colleagues with specific strategies to help them execute a similar experience,” said Hinz.
“Michael [Ibrahim] and Matt [Laura] then presented a session on Arab Music with the hope of finding meaningful collaborations. Our two missions closely aligned with one another,” he said.
CHS senior Drew Vanderspool, who played percussion in the ensemble accompanying the choirs, said, “The Hometown Holiday Concert is always one of my favorites throughout the year because so many great musicians come together to work on it. Also, it’s different music than I play in band the rest of the year. …The community really enjoys it, and it always puts me in the Christmas mood. There’s something special about a huge choir in that space.”
If you missed the concert, you will have another chance to attend.
The next performance of this music by these musicians is expected to be March 2 at Detroit Music Hall. More information will be released later.
The next Chelsea Chamber Players concert will draw a family audience. It is scheduled for 3 p.m. on March 17 at the Chelsea Depot. “It will feature a narrated story with strings,” said Cumming.
(The Hometown Holiday Concert is made possible through the funding support of many local companies and individual sponsors, as well as the partnership with Chelsea Education Foundation, Chelsea School District, Chelsea Music Boosters, Chelsea Chamber Players, Chelsea First United Methodist Church, Dearborn Public Schools, Dearborn Public Schools Foundation, and the Michigan School Vocal Music Association. )
