Nearly 50 people attended the Edison Singers’ performance of “‘Tis the Season” at St. Andrew’s United Church on Wednesday, December 20, 2023.
It was the first time performing in Brantford for the Elora based choir, who performed a series of both new and old carols throughout the evening.
Twenty-one singers entered the space, making their way down the church’s aisles and towards the altar, singing “O Come, O come Emmanual.” The sound of the robust choir filled the church as spectators settled in for the evening’s event.
From “Ring-a the News,” to “I saw three ships,” “Joys Seven,” “Lux Aurumque” and more, there were a total of 14 arrangements that captured the holiday spirit, many of which brought audience members to tears.
In between songs, Noel Edison, the choir’s conductor and namesake, approached the microphone to tell a few heartwarming and comedically timed stories, many of which had audience members chuckling out loud.
As the concert came to a close, Shane Hanson, one of the group’s tenors, sang a rendition “The People that Walked in Darkness” from George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. Audience members were quick to raise to their feet for a standing ovation, some with tears streaming down from their eyes.
Edison then piped up, “we can’t leave you with something that heavy,” before queuing the choir to start “Jingle All the Way” for their final song.
After another standing ovation, one Port Dover resident took the time to share her thoughts about the evening.
“I loved it! There were so many beautiful chord changes that just brought tears to my eyes,” said Yvonne Walton. “I’m glad I brought tissues because it was just powerful.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
