To continue on the Christmas tradition theme, I have to tell you about a concert that’s happening next Thursday, December 19, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It’s the 34th annual A City Singing at Christmas concert, and this year it features the St Patrick’s Cathedral  Choir, the Young People’s Chorus of New York, and the St. Agnes Cathedral Choirs  of the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Last year my choir was featured, so I’ve experienced how lovely this concert is firsthand.

If you’ve never been to St. Patrick’s—well, I’ll save talking about it for another post. But, you should go, and this concert is a perfect time. Three choirs perform beautiful Christmas-themed sets, with sing-a-long carols interspersed, and it’s free! The most magical part is at the end of the concert, when all three choirs sing “Silent Night” together. The lights are turned off in the cathedral, the audience and the singers are given candles, and then the singers process down and back up the aisles. According to a friend of mine, one year, when as the concert came to its end the back doors were opened, she looked out on the cinematic sight of snow falling gently on the Atlas statue on Fifth Ave.
If you want to attend on Thursday, December 19, make sure to get there early. The concert starts at 7 p.m., but the line will begin a while before that. I think last year my mom went to 5:30 mass and that helped her to secure a seat. Seating is limited this year due to construction, so it’s especially important to beat the crowd.
Music is, for me, the most important part of the season—or at least right up there with Christmas tree and lights. I’m sure it’s different for anyone—what’s your favorite sign that the holidays have arrived?
And don’t forget to check out the marathon reading of A Christmas Carol this Saturday at Housing Works bookstore cafe!