Reviewer: Connor S. Rousseau
Venue: The Temple Theatre
Saginaw Choral Society’s Classy Brassy Christmas and More performance at the Saginaw Michigan’s Temple Theatre in the Shaheen Performing Arts Center on December 7, 2024
As temperatures drop and white snow covers the brown, freezing grass, there’s no doubt it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. The festivities are in full swing, but Christmas isn’t complete without performing some of the timeless tunes we treasure.
I remember the long line of people stretched around the corner of the Temple Theatre eager to see the Saginaw Choral Society perform their annual Classy Brassy Christmas. American flags waved at half-staff in honor of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day that freezing afternoon of December 7. Once I got inside, I was greeted with warmth as well as bright green, red, and white colors decorating the Temple for the holidays. So many continued to flock to their seats that the performance had to be delayed, but it was certainly worth the wait as I took my seat. A towering Christmas tree scintillated with colorful ornaments of various sizes.
On a day that our nation remembers the devastation of Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, it was soothing to hear Christmas music that unites all people of all nations during a time in which we give thanks for the birth of Christ and sing praises in His name. A day that we pray for peace and have hope for a better tomorrow.
The Saginaw Choral Society, which has performed for nearly ninety years, gathered on stage with the Saginaw Youth Choir and the Saginaw Elite Big Band. The coalescence of singers and musicians paid tribute to the holiday season with many classic songs like “O Holy Night”, “O Christmas Tree”, and “Jingle Bells”. We were also treated with the sensational singing prowess of Todd Michael Hall, a man with impressive vocal range who sings with great feeling and dedication.
The Saginaw Elite Big Band also took some artistic license by giving classic Christmas tunes such as Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” a swing feel. I’ve always enjoyed big band music, but what makes it special for me is the personal relationships I have with some of the performers, many of whom showed off their skill with solos. Steve Rodriguez was my music teacher when I attended Hemmeter Elementary in Saginaw Township. He performed on the saxophone. Another is Matthew Wicke, who was my middle school band teacher for two years at White Pine Middle School in Saginaw Township. He performed on the trombone and is now a co-worker of mine in St. Charles Community Schools, where he serves as the music director and leads their marching band. He was recently chosen as one of fifty music teachers who make a difference across the United States, one for each state.
The Youth Choir highlights the talent that exists in our younger singers and also reminds us that the arts are still going strong in Saginaw. Children are our future, which makes their involvement in this concert so refreshing and rewarding. It gives me hope for the future of the arts in Saginaw. There was a diversity of talents, ages, and tunes featured in this concert, making it a unique spectacle you can’t experience in every community.
There is no doubt the Temple Theatre was full of skilled and accomplished musicians and singers for the Classy Brassy Christmas. I look forward to enjoying this Christmas tradition next year, for there is a great deal of artistic talent right here in Saginaw, Michigan.