The Grotto 2013

I'm finally getting around to posting some of the Christmas events at our house.  There are a lot of musical numbers in this post (not as many as I could have included - I only put in half of the numbers from the performance)....maybe just click on your favorites. 

Jourdan and his school choir were fortunate enough to participate in the world's largest Christmas choral festival.  The Grotto is a Catholic shrine and botanical garden in Portland which has more than 160 performances in its 600 seat chapel.  The event also features nativity scenes form around the world and light displays.

  Our family has been twice, both times to hear Jourdan sing with a school choir.  The acoustics in the chapel are amazing!

I really loved every song that Ms. Bell (the choir teacher) chose to have the choir perform this year.  All the songs were religious in nature, which I find most appealing.  (I am not a fan of secular Christmas music at all.  I can put up with it, but I would never choose to listen to it.) 

Angels We Have Heard On High:

 

Carol of the Bells:

 

 Coventry Carol:

O Holy Night:

A week earlier, Jourdan's choir got to perform the following number at the Keller Auditorium with the Singing Christmas Tree.  It was quite a big honor to be on such a big/important stage.  Here's a still shot of the choir on stage.

Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel:

 

They ended their performance with a number that always makes my nervous.  I would have loved to have not had to move the camera *twice* during this song (and still cut off half the choir).  I should have known better....the audience always stands for Handel's Hallelujah Chorus: