December 9, 2021
REGIONAL
Story and photos by Rebecca Drake
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St. Cecilia Parish Adult Choir members rehearse for the Dec. 12 Festival of Carols, which will be performed at 7 p.m. in the church, located at 42 Main St., Wilbraham.
WILBRAHAM – After a year of empty choir lofts and livestreamed liturgies, a beloved holiday tradition will return as St. Cecilia Parish, 42 Main St., here, presents its 24th annual Festival of Carols on Sunday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. in the church.
The free concert will include traditional, classical and contemporary Advent and Christmas music. Instrumental accompaniment will include piano, organ, trumpet, flute, percussion, and saxophone.
Joining the St. Cecilia Adult Choir this year will be St. Cecilia Youth Choir director Carolee McGrath and her daughters, Madison and Mary Kate, as well as youth choir members Mary Heinold and Aelan Lisowski.
Musical numbers will include favorites from years past, including the Gospel-inspired “Rise Up, Shepherd and Follow”; “Somewhere in My Memory” (from the movie “Home Alone”); “Believe” (from the movie “Polar Express”); and “O Holy Night.” St. Cecilia tenor and cantor Leo Morrissey will perform “Joseph’s Song.” Concert highlights also will include “Gesu Bambino,” performed by soprano Carol Adamski and alto Jena Fallon; and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” performed by soloist Colin Geaghan.
While the music may be familiar to the singers and audience members, this year’s concert experience will be especially meaningful, said St. Cecilia music director Todd Rovelli.
Todd Rovelli, St. Cecilia Parish music director, leads adult choir members in a rehearsal for the Dec. 12 Festival of Carols.
“Last year, I particularly missed the creative process of preparing for the concert, including choosing music and our rather intense (but fun) choir rehearsals,” he said. “This year’s concert marks the 24th time we’ve performed the program, but I’ve never had a greater appreciation for the joy it brings to me and to all who attend.
“The lyrics to the songs seem just a little more uplifting and the music more beautiful than ever before. I am thrilled to get the word out so that we’ll fill the church once again,” Rovelli said.
Alto Luanna Roberts recalled her feelings when the concert had to be cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “For me, doing the Festival of Carols has become a tradition at Christmas,” she said. “We’ve been doing these concerts a long time so cancelling was heartbreaking not only for me but for the people that come to it.
“I had one person tell me they were so excited we were doing it this year because they never, evermiss it,” said Roberts. “I think that’s true for most people in the audience.It’s such a fabulous way to truly get into the Christmas spirit.”
Soprano Diane Diehl said that, for her, the annual concert provides a moment of spiritual respite during the busy holiday season.
Luanna Roberts (right) and other St. Cecilia Parish Adult choir members rehearse for the Dec. 12 Festival of Carols.
“The Festival of Carols is always that one night during a very hectic December where we pause to reflect – to reflect on the joys of the season, to reflect on what is truly important in our lives,” Diehl said. “Through music, we can find that common language that unites us and reminds us that we are one human race, with one common purpose: to love and serve one another. I so missed that pause last year. Christmas didn’t feel the same.”
“I think this year’s performance will be even more reflective, more meaningful, more poignant,” she said. “I find myself paying so much more attention to the lyrics this year and truly giving thanks for my blessings and praying extra hard for those who are struggling.”
Roberts said that the concert is about more than the music. “Being a member of the St. Cecilia Choir is like being in a close-knit family.We look out for each other,care about each other,laugh together and sing together,” she said.“We are all so very excited to be able to sing this year.I know the joy we feel will come shining through in our performance.”
The Festival of Carols will be followed by a reception with refreshments in the parish center adjoining the church. While there is no charge for the concert, a free will offering will be accepted.
