As I have gone to school concerts and other Christmas concerts this season, I have been amazed at how many versions of "Jingle Bells" have been performed. School band and chorus versions have been the most widely varied. "Jingle Bells" with African drumming was interesting. Always love renditions with handbells. Even Rick Elliott's organ solo in the Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert was a bluegrass version of "Jingle Bells." But my favorite had to be the "Nutcracker" version sung by a High School Men's Chorus. The choir teacher made a brief statement in her introduction that this performance would be unlike any other on the concert and the boys would be "stretched out of their comfort zone." Oh, my! She was right! But she also said that it would be good for them. (Okay, how she got those boys to do what she had them do is beyond my experience!)
The song began with the regular "Jingle Bells" chorus sung in a recognizable way --- but then --- suddenly the music changed to weave in strains from Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" ballet. The boys were still singing the words to "Jingle Bells" but were singing rhythms and motifs from the famous "Nutcracker Suite." Not only were they singing parts of "Trepek" and "Waltz of the Flowers" but they were also doing --- wait for it --- CHOREOGRAPHY! They stayed in their positions on the risers, but were doing Port de bras, Pirouettes, and Battement tendu. Yes, indeed, these boys were doing their best to interpret the music with their best ballet moves, although modified to stay safely on the risers.
The audience was enchanted. The boys were delightful. Not sure any one of them could execute any of the moves expertly or even keep on the beat, but they tried their best. It was kind of a mess visually as a group, but individually, the boys stayed in character and gave the performance of their lives. Such fun! The audience erupted in rapturous applause. There were a few stand out performers that I am sure will be starring in upcoming High School Musicals. (At least they were not afraid to cut loose on stage!)
Told ya boys could sing --- but who knew they could also dance! Next stop Ballet West!
The audience was enchanted. The boys were delightful. Not sure any one of them could execute any of the moves expertly or even keep on the beat, but they tried their best. It was kind of a mess visually as a group, but individually, the boys stayed in character and gave the performance of their lives. Such fun! The audience erupted in rapturous applause. There were a few stand out performers that I am sure will be starring in upcoming High School Musicals. (At least they were not afraid to cut loose on stage!)
Told ya boys could sing --- but who knew they could also dance! Next stop Ballet West!
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