At this time of year, it
has become a sort of Christmas ritual for members of the Esk Community Choir to
bring a little bit of Yuletide joy to the lives of the residents at Toogoolawah’s
Alkira Home for the Aged. And thus, it
was on December 6, at this charming facility that a small ensemble
of carollers and jolly little ‘elves’ found their positions around Ruth at the
piano to sing and frolic through their first bracket of Christmas carols. Though a small number of the audience appeared
to be asleep, they were surely just resting their eyes in anticipation of a
jolly ol’ singalong and sing along they did as the choir ensemble channelled
their passion in the direction of these expectant audience members.
First concert completed
it was off to the next room where another gathering of old folk had already
found their seats in anticipation of the choir’s performance…perhaps to sing
together the carols they knew; or maybe just for the joy of being
together. From ‘Deck the Halls’ to ‘Rudolf
the Red Nosed Reindeer’ and other equally well-loved Christmas songs, to
blessed duets by Ruth, Carolyn, Roly and Denis through to ‘We Wish You a Merry
Christmas’ the enthusiasm in the room was clearly evident. None more so than that of an old choir
friend, Warren McLaren who, with his upcoming solo performance of ‘O Holy
Night’ was brought to tears, so humbled was he to have been asked to perform
his Alkira debut rehearsal with the support of his favourite choir, clinging to
that spark of what he once used to be.
To give the gift of
ourselves in song to these lovely souls will always be a gift in return. To the staff of Alkira for your warm welcome
and hospitality, we of the Esk Choir give our sincere thanks.
By: Sue Walker
 |
| Back: Di, Jan, Ruth, Denis, Front: Carolyn, Sue W, Jo, Christine, Roly, Sue C, Leah, Alan, Helene |
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