Georgia Marshall, Freshman
It is December, and the holiday season has officially begun, bringing with it a plethora of traditions and festivities to make all spirits bright. As per every year, my household is in full Christmas mode, ambushed by holly and baubles the moment Thanksgiving was over. The Christmas tree can be seen sparkling from our living room window; our driveway is aglow with twinkling lights and festive garlands; stockings hang above the fireplace; and plates of freshly baked cookies somehow emerge from the chaos that is our kitchen this time of year. It is December, and it’s hard not to be taken with feelings of warmth and good tidings when we step inside one another’s homes, no matter what holiday is celebrated inside.
The festivity doesn’t stop at individual houses. It is spread throughout the streets and neighborhoods of our small corner of New England. The 52nd annual Christmas Walk took place on the first weekend of December, and served, as it does every year, as the ultimate spreader of holiday cheer in Marblehead. This year, in addition to giving me a boost of holiday spirit, the Christmas Walk afforded me the opportunity to spread it to others through singing.
It is my first year at Marblehead High School, and, as such, my first year participating in the MHS music department as a member of the choir and all-treble acapella group Luminescence. As a true Christmas lover, I’ve always reveled in the idea of marching through town, serenading everyone with Yuletide carols. This year, I got to do just that.
The festivities started on Thursday, November 30th. The Jewel Tones (MHS’s co-ed acapella group) and some members of Luminescence performed a holiday showcase at Marblehead Little Theater, with musical numbers including “Santa Is Coming to Town” (Pentatonix arrangement), the Hanukkah! medley, and more. The MLT performances continued on Friday and Saturday. On Friday afternoon (the first official day of the Christmas Walk), after many rehearsals and much preparation, both groups spread more cheer by caroling at Crosby’s, before performing at the Christmas tree lighting, despite the gray, rainy weather. On Saturday, both groups, along with the Grizzlies (MHS’s all-male acapella group), performed at the Star of the Sea Christmas Fair. I, as a devoted craft fair enthusiast, was pleasantly surprised by the fair, one which I had never been to before. It was located in the parish center and offered a delightful mishmash of household goods, Christmas decorations, crocheted animals, and baked goods. After three rounds of performing in the center, the remaining carolers headed for the streets. Donning our Santa hats, with sheet music in hand, we paraded up and down Atlantic Avenue and beyond, popping into stores and giddily chanting holiday tunes.
For the MHS music department, the weekend culminated with two performances by several LumiTones members, along with Andrew Scoglio, the head of the choir and acapella programs, at the Old North Festival Chorus Holiday Concert.
Now that the weekend is over, I cannot help but think of it as my favorite Christmas Walk yet. Getting to be a part of the celebrations and spreading the joy to others are great catalysts for holiday spirit, for music can bring a smile to anyone’s face. I know how important that is in a way I didn’t before now that I am in acapella.
I hope everyone has a happy holiday season, and that, if given the chance, they pass on the cheer in whatever way they can.