Good morning, blogging family! One of my school’s traditions that I really appreciate is the annual opportunity to perform Christmas concerts at the historic California Theatre in Downtown San Jose. This nearly 100-year-old venue (opened April 1927) has hosted movie screenings, operas, plays, ballets, and (more recently) performances from Valley Christian elementary, junior high, and high school students!

This year I got to sing with the students in the Symphonic Chorale, celebrating the theme of “The Bells Still Ring.” I sang in three songs in the program: two arrangements of “Carol of the Bells,” and “Prayer of the Children,” by Kurt Bestor. The central message of the concert was that, throughout history, the bells of Christmas still ring out the good news of “peace on earth, goodwill to men.” God has come to be with us.

For confidentiality purposes, the picture above doesn’t show any of the smiling students and parents after the concert; but imagine the whole room alight with cheerful chatter and buzzing with warm energy, and you’ll get a sense of the festive atmosphere around these concerts. I hope the students at my school realize how amazing it is that we get to perform at such a beautiful and historic place; I know I’m grateful. I’m already looking forward to next year!

See you tomorrow!