6: Seattle Pro Musica: Family Holiday Concert

Six down. Forty nine to go.

We began a Saturday music performance double-header with Seattle Pro Musica's annual family holiday concert. These folks really know how to put on a show with, and for, children. We know because we were there with two little ones under age five. It was a perfect family holiday event.

The program began with the 80-voice Seattle Pro Musica choir singing five traditional French carols, most of them familiar but wonderful to hear so beautifully sung in French.

Thierry Rautureau, the Chef in the Hat, read
A Visit from St. Nicholas
 with a captivating French flair.

Seattle Pro Musica is committed to building future audiences and singers. Through their Education and Outreach Program they support music educators, helping them inspire students to love singing and choral music. This concert featured a Children's Honor Choir with students from schools in Burien, Everett, Redmond and Duvall.

A highlight of the program was a delightful rendition, with a French flair, of A Visit from St. Nicholas ('Twas the night before Christmas ...) by celebrity Chef in the Hat Thierry Rautureau, supported by the choir. Everyone also loved the carol sing-along, with children from the audience as guest conductors – and, of course, a visit from Santa.

Artistic Director Karen P. Thomas directed the combined Seattle Pro Musica and Children's Honor choirs.
 Photos, by the way, were encouraged - a good choice with so many parents in the audience!

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