The video captures a live holiday concert held in a cathedral in 2016, hosted by Kevin Surace. Surace opens by thanking the audience, explaining that the nearly 100 performers (a 36‑piece orchestra and about 60 singers) are volunteers, and encourages audience participation through clapping and sing‑along moments. He introduces the program’s structure, noting that several pieces are drawn from musical theater and that two soloists—Mike Amaral and Mary Carroll—will feature prominently. The concert proceeds through a series of performances: a traditional hymn “Angels We Have Heard on High,” a multilingual piece “The Prayer,” a nostalgic rendition of Arthur Fiedler’s Boston Pops arrangement of “Sleigh Ride,” a Broadway‑style “Christmas Lullaby,” the locally‑originated work “Rejoice Israel” composed by former parish music director Tony Aris, and a series of devotional songs (including “O Come, Emmanuel,” “O Holy Night,” and a sing‑along “Hallelujah Chorus”). Throughout, Surace interjects with light‑hearted commentary, reminders of the charitable mission (support for free women’s healthcare, homeless mail services, flood relief in Oregon), and appeals for donations. The concert culminates with a challenging new piece, “Light of a Million Mornings,” performed despite the risk of mistakes, showcasing the ensemble’s dedication. The overall tone is celebratory, community‑focused, and slightly informal, blending musical performance with fundraising and holiday spirit.
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Good evening. Can you hear me? You can even hear me now, right? So thank you so much for coming. I know many of you know some of the performers tonight. We have almost 100 people That have come here to perform for you. To be, to be clear and honest, they're not getting paid. They're volunteering their time to come and play for you tonight. We did this show 2 years ago, and, and it had such kind of rave reviews, and people liked it so much that the Cathedral and Sharon were nice enough to ask us to come back and put together an even bigger show. So I hope you enjoy what we've put together. It's really going to be fun. If you like what you hear, you can clap, please. This isn't really church right now, okay? If you really like what you hear, stand up and clap. We'll take any of it. If you don't like what you hear, stand up and clap louder, okay? It's all good. But thank you so much for coming. I hope you enjoy what we've put together. We're gonna— I think you all have programs, or some of you have programs, right? There are programs. Out there. And, uh, there's going to be one song that's a little bit of a sing-along, so you might see that as well. We'll want to hear you for that. But we're going to start out with just a wonderful hymn that you probably all know, and we love opening with this. It's called Angels We Have Heard on High, and I hope you like this immense, amazing 36-piece orchestra and 60 singers back there. Here we go!
From the Sweetly singing o'er the plains, and the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Shepherds, why this jubilee? By your joyous rays prolonged, what the glass of time's weak, which is by your heavenly song drawn to that the heaven is seen, him whose birth the angels sing. Come adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn King. In the manger laid, whom the choirs of angels praise, Mary, Joseph, and your babe, while our hearts in holy praise. Gloria in excelsis Deo.
So this is a piece actually from a musical. You probably didn't know it was from a musical, and we're doing a few pieces from musicals tonight. That's why we sometimes call this the Musical Theater Orchestra and Choir. And we're going to feature 2 soloists tonight, Mike Amaral and Mary Carroll, in The Prayer.
I know, it's a long way around.
I pray you'll be our light and watch us where we go and help us to be wise. In times when we don't know. Let this be our prayer. When we lose our way, lead us to a place, guide us with your grace, to a place where we'll be safe.
La luce che tu dai, let freedom find your light. Il tuo amore resterà, then hold it in our hearts. A ricordarci che, when stars go out each night, la terra stella sei. Oh, nella nostra terra, let this be our prayer. Quando accade il Lead us to a place.
Guide us with your grace.
Give us faith so we will be safe. Sogno un mondo senza violenza, un mondo di giustizia e di We ask that life be kind. Dio della gloria, Padre, il Padre in cielo, eterno dentro sé.
My mouth is open, God, let this be our prayer, let this be our prayer.
Just like every child, just like every child. Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace, give us this so we'll be safe. We are never hurt by actions unknown. Send forth her children far.
In the middle of so many other things going on in the world, I think we need a little Christmas, don't you?
All hounds a-hollering, put up the tree before my spirit father can fill. All the songing, my baby brushing things, my gentle halls again now.
So we sing a little Christmas like it's very latest, candles and the window, carols and the spirit, yes, we sing a little Christmas like it's very latest.
Remember Arthur Fiedler?
Okay, some of us are old enough.
I don't think 3 of us are old enough to remember Arthur Fiedler. Nevertheless, he was the famous conductor of the Boston Pops, and he did this great arrangement of Sleigh Ride. We're going to do the exact same arrangement for you tonight. So think back to about 1974, growing up somewhere else not in California, where there was lots of snow and this playing on the radio from Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops. See, I thought you might know it once you heard it. We're gonna do another piece from Broadway, Jason Robert Brown. This is Christmas Lullaby with our wonderful soloist, Mary Carroll. Welcome, Mary Carroll, back to the stage, I guess, for the moment.
Thank you.
Back to the altar or stage, however you want to see it.
I'll never have the power to control the land or conquer half the world. Or claim the sun. I'll never be the kind who simply waves her hand and has a million people do the things I wish I'd done. But in the eyes of heaven, my place is I carry with me heaven's grand design. Gloria, gloria, I will sing the name of the Lord, and he will make me shine. And I will be like Mother Mary with a blessing in my soul. And I will give the world my eyes so they can see. And I will be like Mother Mary with a blessing in my soul. And I will be like Mother Mary The future of the world inside of me. In the eyes of heaven, my place is assured. I carry with me heaven's grand design. Gloria, Gloria, I will sing the name of the Lord, and he will make me shine. And I will be like Mother Mary, with a blessed smile. With a blessing in my soul. And I will give the world my eyes so they can see. And I will be like Mother Mary. With a blessing in my soul. And the future of the world inside of me.
And I will be like Mother Mary with that power in my hands to believe in all the things I'm yet to be. And I will be like Mother Mary with that power in my hands to believe in all the things I'm yet to be. With miracles separating me from pain.
For the future of the world, for the future of the world inside of me.
And in the spirit of white Christmas. We couldn't leave tonight without doing White Christmas. Please welcome to the altar, to the stage here, Alyssa.
Thank you.
The sun is shining, the grass is green. The orange and palm trees sway. There's never been such a day in Beverly Hills, LA. But it's December the 24th. And I am longing to be alone. I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the one that you I used to know where the treetops listen and children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow.
I used to know.
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas. With every Christmas card I write, may your days be merry and bright.
And may your days be merry and bright.
May all your Christmases be white.
Give me love, give me love, give me love, give me love.
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know.
With every Christmas heart I rise.
May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmas says, be wise.
Be wise.
Be wise.
Many years ago, the music director in this very parish, his name was Tony Aris. I don't think Tony's here tonight because sadly he is, uh, has the flu. But on the other hand, he wrote this amazing, amazing amazing piece some 20 years ago called Rejoice Israel, and then toured with a group called La Damus all around the world, actually, which many of us— La Damus members, wave! Okay, there's 3 or 4 or 5 back there, and Mary and Mike and myself. And we got to perform this around the world, and it became kind of a little bit of a hit for that group, but it originated right here, right in this very parish. So we're gonna do for you, after a very long time and for the first time ever with a full orchestra of this size. Rejoice Israel.
I need the C.
I got it.
Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel. And ransom captive Israel. That mourns in lonely exile here. Until the Son of God appears.
O come to us, Emmanuel, and save your people Israel, for we wait in hope like captives here. Waiting for our God to appear.
O come, all ye spring from above, and fill creation with your light.
O come, all ye ages past, And bring your people peace at last. Rejoice, all Israel, rejoice, for the Lord is great and your time has come. Rise, arise, Israel, the morning brings him and the wealth.
Behold, the rising light is come.
Behold, the morning star.
Rejoice, O Israel.
That was written in 1996.
Yes, and it was dedicated at the time to 2 very special soloists, Mary Carol and Mike Amaral, that sang tonight. Oh yes, and Mike and Mary are also cousins.
I should have said that.
The vocal talent must run in the family, don't you think?
Okay, hold on.
Well, this is a really big number. I, I think, uh, I think it's the epitome of the Christmas season is O Holy Night, and everybody's done O Holy Night. We've got, we think, an amazing version of this, again featuring Mike Amaral in a very high tenor role, uh, and a full orchestra and the full choir. I hope you enjoy it.
Stars uprightly shining, it is the night of the dear Savior's birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till he appeared And the soul has its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Hallelujah! O hear the angel voices, O night divine, O night when Christ was born. O night divine. Led by the light of His serene being, with glowing hearts, by His great always standing hand. So let my light of a star How sweet the gleaming became the white and bright, the Orient land. The King of Kings laid thus in lowly manger, in all our trials, born to be our Savior. He's our friend. He knows our need. To a weeper, he knows no stranger.
Behold your King.
Behold him lowly bend.
Behold him humbly pray.
Your peace, behold him mend.
Amen.
Truly he taught us to love one another. His law is love and his gospel is peace. Chains shall he break, all the slave is our brother, and in his name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise. Praise him, let all within us raise his holy name.
Rise with the Lord. Let earth praise him, his power and glory.
I believe in your programs, is there, uh, are there some lyrics to something?
There are?
Sharon says there's lyrics. Can everyone find those lyrics? Is that of something you've ever sung before? Who has sung the Hallelujah Chorus before? Okay, who's heard of the Hallelujah Chorus before? Who's gonna try anyway? Okay, this is somewhat of a sing-along. Just have fun with it. We're all We're all gonna have fun with it. I hope you have fun with it too. Here we go.
Hallelujah.
King of kings forever and ever, and Lord of lords forever and ever, we celebrate you.
King of kings and Lord of lords, King of kings and Lord of lords.
I am the Emperor. I am the Emperor of Colorall, whose collaborative effort brings together many things in our society. Through the spirit of music, the nobility of the arts, and the selfless love of manliness, we become transformed and empowered through the divine process of another process and by my It is because of every artist and every person who spends a few minutes of time, we are able to celebrate season of hope. Because of women who are working, because of you, we are able to provide free healthcare for women. Free healthcare for women in the building right next to us, which we do as a partnership with Gardner Family Health Project. We also provide many Yes, 8 South Market Street is the mailing address for anyone who is homeless. We have 1,000 individuals who are registered here who get mail, but it is quite busy, 200 people a day. We ask you to be as generous as possible tonight. It is the flood season out in Oregon, Every day of the year. When you leave tonight, there are clear containers, one right at the entrance of the church where the baptismal font is, and one here underneath the crucifixion scene, and then another one right here at the exit. If you can't make a donation tonight, the ushers will be here in the lower vestibule at 12. Write a check Remember Kevin, even if it's in the month of May, we're here. Also, please share the Susan Hope schedule inside of the program with your family and friends and coworkers. Celebrate Susan Hope with us again tomorrow at 9:00 on the 23rd. Please enjoy our last song, Light of the Early Mornings. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas. Thank you.
So this, uh, last piece that we're doing, Light of a Million Mornings, is something that we just got, and, uh, it is the hardest thing that we're doing vocally for everybody and orchestra-wise. And we almost took it out, and then I thought I I would ask you, do you want us to try it for you?
Yes!
Okay, so if something goes wrong, just hang in there, but we're gonna give it a run. I think you're gonna enjoy it. It's an absolutely stunning piece, and we all just felt so blessed to hear this piece and hear this orchestration and have Mary come back one last time. So here we go, A Million Mornings. I told you we could make a mistake, and I made the mistake, so we're going to start it again.
It takes some responsibility too.
Here we go.
Get it. 1, 2, 3.
I couldn't see the sunrise through the shadow. I couldn't seem to find a soul to count. And in my darkest hour, you touched me with your glow. And all at once, your light was everywhere. The light of A million mornings filled my heart. The sound of a million angels sang my song. The warmth of a love so tender touched my life, and suddenly— The light of a million mornings dawns in me. I've never tried to understand the sunrise. I only know it takes away The dark. I can't explain your healing, or all this joy I'm feeling. I only know you've come into my heart. The light of a million mornings filled my heart. The sound of a million angels sang my song. Though one thought but mine, so tender, touched my life.
And suddenly, the light of a million mornings dawned in me. And now that your glory has come shining through, let my life be a candlelight that shines for you. Let it shine for you. Shine for you. Oh, I'm so happy.
