Memorial High School - Reata Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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r ,f ' '1' 3 Nl'-till A I 5 Forty Chorale members stand in the auditorium foyer. As they light candles, some pace nervously while others stand silent. Suddenly, they take pitch and proceed down the aisles, greeting a capacity crowd with Fanfare for Christmas Day. Quick- ly, their nervousness is replaced by joyous emotion. Christmas Vespers has begun. The emotion involved in this an- nual Christmas concert is one of the most important factors of the show. The first half of the show is a sacred selection of songs sung by the Chorale and Chantelaires. The sacred part is my favorite half. The songs say what Christmas is really all about, said Miss Coloma Lafferty, choir director. Following an intermission, the cur- tains opened to a winter wonderland scene, thus beginning the second half of the show. This part of the show consists of a secular selection of songs designed to accompany the set. As a climax to this portion of Vespers, a castle was raised hydraulically from behind a concealing mountain as the Chorale sang Santa Claus is Coming to Town. The secular part was a blast. I thought the set was excellent, sum- med Sophomore Chorale member Pam Miller. Those choir members experiencing their first Vespers quickly discover the reason the concert has remained one of the biggest traditions in the school's history. It was really neat being a part of Vespers. I felt like I had accomplish- ed something important, said Sophomore Chantelaire Iennifer Shroff. Even experienced choir members find it hard to describe the feeling gained from Vespers. Senior Laura Clinton attempted, calling it an err tional hyperactivenessf' As the concert drew near its er the 40 people stood closely on t stage, holding hands, hugging o another. All of them were exhaust at the completion of a major proje yet they smiled broadly because ' side they felt something very strong feeling possibly understood only choir members during Vespers. As Beautiful Savior was begi tears rolled down the faces of sol while others stood still solemn a proud. Vespers had drawn to a clos by by Doug Middlebroc Fanfare for Christmas Day has always b the opening processional at Vespers. Ser Kenneth Knowles begins the show. Photo lim Tomforde. Relaxed and seated on a snowy bank of p forms and white sheets, members of Chorale perform a secular Christmas song Vespers. Photo by lim Tomforde. z f I! I s ss 6' . X

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Traditionally, a Senior is awarded the Let it Snow solo at Christmas Vespers. Cuddling with Iunior Carrie Kerr, Senior Mitt Dawson sings this favorie. Photo by lim Tomforde. Vespers accumulated the efforts of nearly all of the members of the choir. Performing in the sacred part of the show are the Chantelaires. Photo by lim Tomforde. E 6 t Y K Q .. ' i X f' fi:Ff1.1ii:g.gy ie 2 ' 5 psf 4' H' gs X . 5 r X i N i X X ..tt .t - Chorale members spent November and December weekends working on the surprise Vespers set, Winter Wonderland. Photo by lim Tomforde. Aware that she is participating in her final Vespers performance, Senior Anna Gregory shows the emotion that is involved in the Christmas show. Photo by lim Tomforde. 4 s i K P rf Q' Vespers I 37