Yuletide cheer came to roaring life at Skyline Church thanks to Youth Choir of San Diego, who offered up delightful little bonbons of Christmas standards both old and new. Their angelic voices wafted through the chilly winter air, warming the crowd’s hearts with visions of sugarplums and chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
Yuletide cheer came to roaring life at Skyline Church thanks to Youth Choir of San Diego, who offered up delightful little bonbons of Christmas standards both old and new. Their angelic voices wafted through the chilly winter air, warming the crowd’s hearts with visions of sugarplums and chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
Every song was a winner, with a particular standout performance by Lari Pimentel, whose brilliant rendition of “All I want for Christmas is you” nearly eclipsed Mariah Carey’s original.
Another solid performance was the duet between Mae Battle and Pimentel on the classic “Oh Holy night”. The two really brought out the immense hope that the song conveys and not a single person in the church wasn’t on their feet applauding by the end of the song.
During “Silent Night” the choir lined up on the edge of the stage, the whole church was dark save for the warm orange glow of votive candles held by the audience. The soft tinkling of a piano by YCSD band music director Jonni Glaser accompanied the choir in this immensely subtle and beautiful song.
As a reward to those in the audience who had been nice all year a couple of special guests performed alongside the choir.
San Diego musician Adisa Browning brought the house down in joyous and playful renditions of “Jingle Bells” and “We wish you a merry Christmas”. Ever the showman, Browning’s cheer was infectious and he had the whole audience clapping and singing along.
El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells got into the holiday spirit, getting behind the piano and belting out a jazzy take of Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song”. His voice was surprisingly deep and resonant and a perfect fit for the song.
Even Santa Claus showed up, jiggling his bowlful of jelly and leading the members of the choir on a conga line through the aisles of the church as they sang “Feliz Navidad”. As he “Ho Ho Ho’ed” his way through the church, Mrs. Claus handed out candy canes to the audience with a pleasant smile.
This choir program is a testament to the power and charity that music holds over us.
YCSD President and conductor Jason Prater has assembled a fine and diverse group of youngsters.
The talent on display from these forty-eight adolescents was impressive and there isn’t any doubt that they won’t reach their full potential.
