Christmasfest

Ok, internets -- there's something you need to know about our dear friend Another Nathan. Dude loves him a good fest. And last weekend, he took me to see his absolute favorite of all the fests that ever were: the Christmas festival at his alma mater, St Olaf College.

Okay, he didn't take me to St Olaf. It's far away and really cold. We went and saw a simulcast (it had a legit trailer!) of the event at a movie theater here in Raleigh. (Although Nathan had also flown up to see it live and in person two days earlier, in Minnesota. That's how much he loves Christmasfest.)

He likes to tell how it was going to the Christmas festival with his mom one year in high school that solidified his college choice (and therefore his career in church music). Also how apparently it is not appropriate to feel Christmasy or put up a tree or fully embrace Advent until he after he's fested. Yep, true story.

And y'all. I totally get why he favorites this thing. It was so, so good. Five choirs, five hundred college kids singing beautifully with an incredible orchestra (I kept thinking dang they're just undergrads!! ...amazing talent). But it's different than just a regular Christmas concert, because the whole auditiorium full of attendees also sings along on hymns, and there is excellent narration and really well-done scripture readings. The whole thing was just kind of awesome. Best Christmas concert I've seen, probably ever. Definitely ever. I could have listened to at least another hour.

So all the music was really lovely, but the top choir, the St Olaf Choir, was just... outstanding. Even *I* could tell they were a notch above. I've been a music nerd for many years, and I have never heard a choir make a sound like that. Somehow even in parts, they sound like one voice. It's incredible. (Watch this video if you don't believe me. Actually watch it anyway, even if you do.)


(If you can't see the embedded video, click here to watch it on YouTube.)

Ok so anyway, the whole point of this. It was wonderful, I feel Christmasy now, and set your dvr's for when exerpts from the fest come on PBS in a few weeks. Do it. That is all.

Happy Advent.