…is singing loud for all to hear.
With songs and holiday fun enough to make even the most determined of Grinch’s hearts grow, the 18th Street Singers took the Willard Intercontinental by storm this past Friday with an evening of carols. Just like the years before, the beautifully decked halls and donned Christmas tree of the Willard’s lobby served as the perfect backdrop for a few of our favorite traditional tunes, as well as a smattering of shameless promo numbers for our Winter concert. (January 25th and 26th at First Trinity Lutheran! Tickets on sale now!)
As a Willard first-timer, I was stunned to an awe-filled silence at the sight of the holiday hustle and bustle throughout its already stunning halls. How does Christmas garland wind so high? How do you make a scaled gingerbread replica of the Willard? How do so many Singers fit into one little alcove?
While the aforementioned questions will most likely remain among the mysteries of the season, this curious newbie did discover that the elaborate holiday scene is a long standing tradition at the Willard. Music has been filling the air every December evening for the last 11 years, and the famed Willard Christmas tree has given holiday guests an up close view of the entire White House Christmas Ornaments collection since 1981.
It was clear that the fun of the holidays was with all who took in the evening, or even just a few minutes to listen and celebrate the season with us.
In true caroling fashion, crowd participation was not only encouraged, but was required. Our fearless leader, Ben, led the fearless audience in several of the classics, and the ever-exuberant Sarah coaxed even more of the lobby to break out their keys and play the part of the bells for Jingle Bells. Together we filled the halls with the soundtrack of the most wonderful time of the year.
This post was written by North Pole Correspondent and 18th Street Singers Librarian, Em Skow.