Make a Joyful Noise unto the Lord
By Kip Tabb –
First Flight High School Advanced Choir singers (L to R) Maiah Tabb, Rachel Zuhars and Anna Bachman.
Sometimes an event comes along that truly captures the feeling of the Christmas season, the sense that this is a time of joy and a time to share those feelings with others.
Sunday evening the Eastern Carolina Concert Society presented Outer Banks Family Carols at the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Kitty Hawk and it truly was a “joyful noise unto the Lord.”
Bringing together the First Flight High School (FFHS) Advanced Choir, choral singers from North Carolina and Virginia and the Protocol Brass Quintet from Hampton Roads, the performance seemed to capture the true essence of the Christmas spirit.
If there was a most joyful noise it was probably from the FFHS choir doing an a cappella arrangement of In Dulci Jubilo (in sweet rejoicing). The worship hall of the church features a high pitched roof with stone walls, and the acoustics of the hall seemed to gather the music and fill the room with its sound.
There were other highlights as well. Vocal instructor Deb Kasten performed breathtaking solos to Gesu Bambino and Coventry Carol, her full, rich soprano voiced seeming to soar over the pews.
Other outstanding soloists performed as well. FFHS Morgan Leatherwood’s oboe solos were beautifully played and created an almost exotic feel. Natalie Drummond’s performance of Sing Joy! was wonderful.
The evening featured a lot of noise unto the Lord–frankly not all of it was quite as harmonic as the trained voices. Many of the songs called for the audience to sing along and we did–with enthusiasm if not quite in tune.
Steve Blackstock, part of the administrative team at FFHS, was the director and organist for the evening, and he deserves a lot of credit for the outstanding quality of the performance. The flute solo with organ performed by his wife, Suzanne, also deserves special mention.
Living Nativity scene following the vocal concert at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Kitty Hawk.
After the concert, a living nativity was presented on the Church grounds.With narration overlaying the presentation, it seemed a perfect way to end the evening, with angels surrounding a creche as shepherds and wise men approach.
In many ways the Outer Banks is much like everywhere else when it comes to the holiday season.We’re rushing everywhere, trying to get everything done, and it is good to have a reminder that in all the scurrying about, it is important to remember that at the heart of it, is a celebration of life
