LISTOWEL – The Listowel Knox Presbyterian Church will once again be filled with the sound of joyous voices with a holiday theme on Sunday, Dec. 18, as ‘Music of Christmas’ marks its in-person return for the first time since 2019.
Mind you, the event was still offered virtually through the first two years of the pandemic, but as long-time Knox Music Director Agnes Henderson says, there’s nothing quite like performing for a full house to officially help kick off the Christmas season.
“I think everybody – performers and whoever will be in the audience – is really anticipating it,” said Henderson, the concert’s primary pianist who has served as music director at Knox for 29 years. “The performers I think get just as much out of it as the listeners.
“There is a lot of talent in this area, and this gives them a platform to share their talents with the community.”
Henderson helped initially launch Music of Christmas in 2005. Featuring the Knox Presbyterian Church Choir, special guest vocalists, pianists and keyboardists, the event takes on a more contemporary sound with the addition of guitars and drums. Henderson will be joined for a duet on the piano by local performer Becky Reesor, with the two collaborating on a Trans-Siberian Orchestra piece. Listowel’s Jessica Beirnes and Janet McDonald will also provide their talents at the keys.
“I thought that Listowel didn’t really have a Christmas concert like this,” she said of the event’s early days. “I pulled some singers together and the choir together, and it was really well attended. So we just kept doing it and it kept growing from one performance up to two, and both times the church was filled up to capacity. It’s become popular so we just keep going.”
Music of Christmas is offering two shows this Sunday – one at 2 p.m. and the second at 7 p.m. Admission is by goodwill monetary donation, with a portion of proceeds being allocated towards a local charity. Doors will open approximately a half hour before the two shows.
“I think they’ll come away with just a feeling of joy,” said Henderson of what first-time attendees can expect. “It fills them with Christmas spirit, and the Christmas message is in the songs as well. There’s something for everyone. It’s a good way to spend a couple hours.
“We’re eager to do it again. There was no problem getting people to participate this year, I think everyone we asked said yes. It’s a good feeling to know that people are still keen to be a part of it.”
