A Holly, Jolly Christmas

Talented amateurs and professional musicians accompanied one another to perform songs of the season.  The free concert is organized by Ocracoke Current's own Sundae Horn, who said it is her favorite night of the year.  

Ocracoke middle school language arts students sold baked good and drinks, raising about $200 to buy new books.  Hooray for reading!

Sundae performed with the Madrigals, an ever evolving group of island women who harmonize on traditional tunes.  She indulged herself by singing a few other tunes, too.

Bob Ray and Jamie Carter, accompanied by Bob's daughter and son, brought the house down with a silky, sultry rendition of 'Blue Christmas,' dedicated to Virginia Austin.

Ocracoke Child Care kids clamored to the front when it was their turn to perform, and were lifted onto the stage, where they clapped, jumped and spun around, sort of in unison.  While the kids were returning to their seats Sundae led the crowd in singing Happy Birthday to Blanche Howard Jolliff, who was celebrating her 93rd birthday.

Aaron Caswell is Miss Blanche's cousin, twice removed.  He took to the stage later in the evening with Lou Castro, and the righteous sound of two guitars playing a Christmas tune by The Band filled the Community Center.

Lou and the Jazzcasters, who perform each week during the winter at Gaffer's, made everyone merry with their Ocracoke specific version of 'Santa Baby.'   Read the lyrics! Lou deserves big thanks for donating his time and sound equipment to make sure the Christmas concert happened, said Sundae.  "This one's for everyone to sing," said Lou, before the Jazzcasters launched into 'Winter Wonderland.'

The musical Belch family entertained the crowd with tunes Pastor Ivey said his grandparents once sang to him.

The surprise hit of the evening was a trio performing classical Christmas music on trombone, violin and flute, led by Susan Stuck.  Let's pretend we're in Moscow and there is snow on the ground, suggested Susan, before they played Prokofiev's troika.  Their delight in pulling it off without practice was shared by the crowd, who hooted with pleasure.  

Roger Garrish's lovely voice and heartfelt delivery gave me chills when he sang 'Silent Night', accompanied by Jamie Carter, who said she would accompany Roger on any tune, any time.

A new performer this year was Desiree Richter, who accompanied herself on an affecting version of 'I'll Be Home for Christmas.'

"I'm humbled by what great musicians live here on the island," said Sundae.  For the final performance, she invited special guest Michele Robinson to join Jamie and performers from Molasses Creek to sing "the prettiest song of the Christmas season."  Their spine tingling version of 'O Holy Nigh't was not the last song of the evening, as other performers returned to the stage, a few children from the audience clamored up, and a sing-a-long of favorite carols followed.

 Then everyone folded up their own chair to help the clean up crew, and stepped out into the dark, starry night.