A/N:
Response to Guest Reviewers:
To Suzie, thank you! I certainly appreciate the reviews - especially the one about the first half of the concert. And, it's my pleasure to give such a shout-out :)
General Author's Note:
Ladies and gentlemen, once more, your patience and support is appreciated! Here is the set list for the final half of the concert - enjoy!
Bass Choir:
Hark the Herald [I unfortunately couldn't find the arrangement I had been basing this on.]
I Heard the Bells ["2013 Singing Buckeyes Holiday show. Mainstay sings I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"]
Men's Ensemble:
Hanerot Halulu [Hanerot Halalu - Forte Toronto Gay Men's Chorus]
Mary Had a Baby [Once again, much to my frustration I was unable to find the correct version]
*Loch Lomond [Loch Lomond (HQ) - All State Men's choir 08-09]
Advanced Mixed Choir:
O Come All Ye Faithful ["O Come, All Ye Faithful" arr. Dan Forrest, Sanctuary Choir — the ones in the red choir robes]
Bashana Haba'ah [Bashana Haba'ah Singing Out Glenn Gould Studio]
Breath of Heaven [Breath of Heaven *Arranged by Courtney Craig]
Sleep, Little Baby, Sleep [Sleep, Little Baby, Sleep, USC choral]
Finale:
O Holy Night [O Holy Night/Lane Tech Chorus]
And I'm keeping the last piece a surprise for now — I think it'll help to make it even sweeter :)
_._
Intermission came and went before they could even catch a breath. And, with it went the last respite before the true emotional roller coaster of the night began.
_._
"Hark! the Herald angel sings,
Glory to the newborn King!"
Seeing as how it was Mr. Carson now conducting the choirs, Isobel was not at all surprised that the overall tone of the ensembles had taken a more serious note.
"Peace on Earth, and mercy mild.
God and sinners reconciled!"
Though, perhaps, Mrs. Hughes could have convinced him to have a little more fun with the selection - seeing as how she got him to dress up as Father Christmas for the Treble Choir earlier.
Speaking of, she'd have to ask Elsie about how she managed to get the voice director to do such a thing - it was quite the feat. And certainly something she could have even imagined the choir director involving himself with.
_._
"Hark! The Herald angel sings,"
Beryl was glad she put her foot down in regards to borrowing some of her trumpeters for "Hark! The Herald"
"Glory to the newborn King!"
It was a lovely song that she did enjoy.
But it was also unnecessary to have her entire brass section perform for only one song.
_._
The harking of the Herald soon gave way to a song of similar triumphant note.
"I heard the bells on Christmas Day,
Their old familiar carols play."
The Bass Choir whispered to the crowd in a wistful manner, their voices filled with soft wonderment that managed to refrain from too much breathiness.
"And wild and sweet
The words repeat,
Of peace on Earth,
Good will to men."
_._
They maintained a good sound throughout "I Heard the Bells", before grandly rising in volume to complete the song.
"The wrong shall fail,
The right prevail,"
Isobel nodded fervently to these lyrics, finding them to represent her life motto.
"With peace on Earth,
Good will to men."
And women! Came the determined thought as she began to clap for them - the choir now starting to gracefully take their leave.
_._
"Hanerot Halalu," Mr. Carson had been thankful Atticus was willing to occasionally come up during his lunch period so they could go over and double-check the Hebrew pronunciation.
"Anachnu madlikin,"
It truly was a gorgeously haunting piece. And, having worked on not only translating but also understanding the Hebrew, Mr. Carson felt that he developed more of an appreciation for the song now.
"Al hanissim ve-al haniflaot,
Al hatshu-ot ve'al hamilchamot
She-asita la'avoteynu"
Furthermore, the simple yet powerful lyrics made for an entrancing song. One that moved the audience through sentiment alone.
_._
Elsie had been pleased that Mr. Carson was the type to include holiday music that wasn't just about Christmas.
"Bayamim hahem, bazman hazeh
Al yedey kohanecha hakdoshim."
She was also pleased when she realized that this version would be a cappella. It was a fact she never smugly brought up, true. But it was one that she happily thought about from time to time.
_._
"Bayamim hahem,"
The young gentlemen proceeded to delve into the divine minor key one last time.
"Bazman hazeh."
It was chilling. And as Elsie looked over the English translation, the lyrics resting in her binder on the piano, she remembered that the feeling behind the song was one she could easily relate to.
Blessings did happen, after all. Else she would have never had the opportunity to sit on this piano bench.
_._
The second song for Men's Ensemble had far more of an uplifting tune than "Hanerot Halalu".
"Mary had a baby,"
Elsie's fingers danced through the glissandos with ease, focused on accompanying the ensemble the best she could and releasing the melancholic tone of the previous song.
"Mary had a baby!"
_._
"Well, that's an interesting change in tune." Mrs. Bird had not been able to fully lift herself up from the somber mood that "Hanerot Halalu" left behind, not even with this version of "Mary Had a Baby".
"I'll say" Beryl quipped in response, completely understanding.
_._
As the beautiful song finished, the ensemble smiled at the smattering of lovely applause. It was a delightful version, one that brought a smile to several in attendance - whether they realized it or not.
Well, that's my cue.
Elsie was poised to stand up and stretch her legs after the Men's Ensemble transitioned off the stage - so as to be able to continue sitting at the piano once more for the Advanced Mix Choir.
Of course, she wouldn't dare to move from her spot until the gentlemen start to vacate the risers.
But, much to her confusion, the boys were not doing that just yet.
Far from it.
What on Earth?
Mr. Carson was now turning to the soloist microphone, beginning to speak calmly as though he wasn't going off-script and deviating from the program altogether.
"The Men's Ensemble," As they were noted in the concert program, "Is proud to present one more song. We wanted to put together a thank you to Mrs. Hughes, someone with whom we have had the pleasure of working with this last semester. Without her help, we would have been thrown into the unforgiving depths of chaos, I'm sure."
She froze, a professional smile of gratitude pasted onto her face as she watched her colleague continue to speak. Simply put, she was stunned into silence, unable to do more than observe her friend as he eventually turned away from the microphone and pulled out - much to her growing bewilderment - a brand new pitch pipe.
Charles didn't glance in her direction as he blew the pitch, far from it. But she still caught a twitch of a smile as the pitch was played. That's when she knew that he had been somehow been secretly planning this for months.
Furthermore, from the way his eyes faintly twinkled, it was clear that he knew he had surprised her.
Secret plans aside, her attention was now being stolen by watching William step down from the risers and up to the microphone. She inched forward in her seat, quite agog by the whole proceedings.
"By yon bonnie banks,"
Elsie sharply inhaled, not having expected this to be performed.
"And by yon bonnie braes."
"Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond,"
And William, though his accent was certainly not Scottish, had a stunningly forward motion to his voice as he crescendoed within his solo.
_._
Within the captivated audience, there was one teenager who quietly watched the proceedings with great interest.
"Where me and me true love
Were ever wont to gae."
Choirs had always held an interest for him and, as such, he wanted to investigate Downton Academy's before officially committing to transferring for the spring semester. His mother understood the interest and, respecting the fact that he didn't want to be swayed by her or his distant cousins' judgments, allowed him to sit on his own for tonight - hidden within the crowd of choral supporters.
"On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomon'."
Though the teen had sat in on a few rehearsals and even met repeatedly with the two teachers in charge of the program, he had never caught this particular piece being rehearsed. Naturally, he was quite taken with it.
And as the soloist stepped back into the risers to join his fellow singers as they began a chilling chorus of sound, the young man listening was struck with a very strong feeling of camaraderie and respect. A feeling that transferring here would allow him to live life in a simpler way - a way that was far more rewarding than what he'd been putting up with.
Essentially, it was with this piece in particular that informed Matthew Crawley that he was making the right decision.
_._
"Oh, ye'll tak' the high road
And I'll tak' the low road."
Misty-eyed would have been an understatement for Elsie as she watched the ensemble glide through the beautiful, poignant piece.
"And I'll be in Scotland afore ye;"
_._
Beryl watched only the two teachers on stage, taking note of the water now tracing her friend's cheeks whilst her coworker continued to conduct with exceptionally sweeping movements - as though to wipe those tears away.
"But me and me true love
Will never meet again"
Truly, if they didn't address their feelings for one before Elsie left, Beryl would have to take matters into her own hands.
"On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomon'
_._
"'Twas there that we parted in yon shady glen, "
Charles coaxed them into mezzo-forte, letting his hands speak of the importance of dynamics within this piece.
On the steep, steep side o' Ben Lomon',
They breathed as one, him and his gentlemen, with their harmonies sweetly blending into the air.
"Where deep in purple hue
The Hieland hills we view,
And the moon coming out in the gloamin'."
He was very proud of them all, for being willing to learn this piece on top of everything else. For putting all this wonderful time and energy into one more song.
"Oh, ye'll tak' the high road
And I'll tak' the low road."
And now that they were able to perform it for an audience, it was perfect.
"And I'll be in Scotland afore ye."
Though, really.
"But me and me true love
Will never meet again.
For this song, she was their only audience.
On the bonnie, bonnie banks
Of Loch Lomon'."
_._
William stepped forth once as a sense of calm washed over him, coating his words in a confident sorrowful tone.
"The wee birdies sing and the wild flow'rs spring,
And in sunshine the waters are sleepin'."
The words rose forth, echoing throughout the room as he sang from the heart.
"But the broken heart it kens nae
Second spring again."
He hoped that Mrs. Hughes loved this surprise. He hoped his dad was proud of him and that his mom would be as well if she were still here.
"And the world knows not how"
He hoped for future moments filled with grateful consideration that were just as powerful as these.
"We are grieving."
_._
William stepped away from the microphone and silence held the room for a spell.
She raised her hands to clap, to enthusiastically applaud them for their fantastic efforts, but saw Mr. Carson had not lowered his hands.
They were not finished just yet.
That's when all the boys began to chorus a soft sound. A sound that grew in strength and dynamics as Mr. Carson slowly walked backwards and allowed the first row to step away from the risers. One by one, the teens began to form a line on the edge of, practically hugging one another due to the lack of space between them.
The harmonies grew, as did the hints of volume. And, as the second row joined the first - soon followed by the third and fourth rows, respectively - she couldn't help but glow with pride.
"Oh, ye'll tak' the high road
And I'll tak' the low road."
Mr. Carson was now stepping towards stage-right, coming closer to her as the ensemble was now completely off the risers and gathered on the stage.
"And I'll be in Scotland afore ye."
She was quite thankful for the fact that the boys obscured her presence from the audience - it made it easier to let the tears fall.
"For me and me true love
Will never meet again,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomon'."
They gestured to the audience, inviting them all to sing the chorus one more time.
And, as the crowd began to sing along, the auditorium divinely rang once more with empowering sound.
_._
After the audience had joined in, Mr. Carson brought them back to an even keel once more - guiding the sound from fortissimo back into the realm of forte.
"But me and me true love
Will never meet again,
The singers paused, sharing one more moment of silence on stage before finally delving into the final segment of the piece.
"On the bonnie, bonnie banks
Of Loch Lomon'."
_._
He hazarded a glance in her direction in the midst of the thunderous applause, praying that he hadn't cross the boundary lines of propriety too much. And, above all, he hoped that he hadn't offended her with this little surprise.
However, when Charles finally saw the watermarks adorning Elsie's face, watermarks that only further accentuated that beautiful upward curve of her lips, he knew that being offended was one of the last things in the world she currently felt.
_._
"Was that in the program, Cora? It was quite impressive." The woman sighed at her husband's unintentional ignorance, barely refraining from rolling her eyes after that breathtaking performance.
"Had you been awake near the end of "Mary Had a Baby", Robert, you would have heard Mr. Carson's speech to introduce "Loch Lomond" as a surprise to honor Mrs. Hughes."
"Oh," He sheepishly readjusted himself, now determined more than ever to stay awake. "Well I'm sure it was quite the surprise."
At this, Cora couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"Honestly," She began, knowing already that her message wouldn't get across even if she did try to explain her current frustration.
_._
Elsie was still sat at the piano, absolutely touched by that stunning rendition. Tears probably continued to stain her cheeks, and her voice would most likely be cracking in gratitude if she had to speak.
He remembered.
She had only been humming it once - not normally one to indulge in wistful nostalgia when she was about to handle teenagers first thing in the morning. And, when she had stepped into the classroom, he hadn't even remarked on her humming. In fact it was she who eventually came out of her thoughts and realized that now was not the time nor place for such sentimentality.
But, he still remembered.
Fortunately, Elsie didn't have to leave the piano anytime soon. She didn't have to try to pull herself together in regards to anything other playing the accompaniment. And, once she made sure clean-up was taken care of and the students were picked up, then she could properly regain her bearings and thank Mr. Carson for such a touching surprise.
For now, though, she could simply hope to catch his eyes in the midst of the Men's Ensemble giving the stage over to the Advanced Mixed Choir. That, and maintain her spot at the piano.
Fortunately, even if she couldn't catch his eyes, Elsie had a very strong feeling that he already knew how touched she was.
"Are you alright, Mrs. Hughes?" Anna would be the one to break concert etiquette and quietly whisper to her accompanist as the young woman walk past the piano.
"Quite alright, thank you, Anna."
Naturally, the younger woman wasn't convinced - even as she demurely continued to her place on the risers.
In any case, Anna making it to her spot meant that almost all the sections were on stage. So, it only would be another minute or two before they can begin.
Which also meant that, in a minute, her colleague would be joining her at the piano.
_._
"Do you think there'll be any additional pieces added to the concert? Or shall we actually adhere to the program?" Isobel quietly scoffed at Violet's remark, wanting once more to sit near her son instead of here. After all, Matthew had been contemplating transferring into Downton, and she wanted to help as much as he could.
But he had wanted to see the school from the perspective of someone who wasn't given special treatment because he was an administrator's son. And so, instead of sharing this lovely concert with her son, she had to sit next to her esteemed colleagues and distant relatives.
Joy.
_._
"Wonders never cease." Beryl remarked dryly, curious as to why Mr. Carson was now joining Mrs. Hughes at the piano.
"You can say that again," Jane muttered.
"'Wonders never cease.'" Albert dutifully repeated for the woman, chuckling as both teachers sent him variations of a glare.
_._
They stared at each other for a moment, almost forgetting their places. She still held hints of tears in her eyes, though crying was not going to occur anytime soon. And oddly enough, he himself wanted to wipe the water marks away instead of carrying on like normal. Though he could only suppose it did make sense -having her cry had not been his intention with the surprise. It was supposed to be only an acknowledgement that would hopefully convey his gratitude for everything this semester.
"Shall we, then?" She broke the silence first, looking back towards the waiting audience.
"No better time than the present." No better time than the present? He couldn't believe such words came from him in the middle of a concert.
To hide his surprise, Charles sharply looked up at his students, making sure they were paying attention as he rose a hand to start them off.
The energized notes of the piano charged into the room, readying the audience for an empowering to start off this particular choir.
"Oh come all ye faithful,"
The men started off this piece in a majestic tone, commanding the audience's attention.
"Joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, o come ye
To Bethlehem."
_._
Now Beryl could see why both teachers were needed at the piano.
"Come and behold him,
Born the King of Angels!"
Typically, like many other songs performed tonight, this piece only required one accompanist - leaving the other teacher left to conduct the choir.
"Oh come,
Let us adore Him."
However, in today's case, the piano arrangement for "O Come All Ye Faithful" was complex enough that it required four hands instead of the usual two.
"Oh come,
Let us adore Him."
It was a powerful implication, suggesting that the choir on hand didn't need a conductor in order to perform, Still, Beryl couldn't help wondering just which of the two teachers had been the one to suggest this arrangement. It did force both teachers to sit rather closely to one another. And, judging from their movements across the piano keys, their hands had to cross paths on more than one occasion.
"Oh come,
Let us adore Him,"
Her money was personally on Mr. Carson making the decision - seeing as how Elsie would already be playing the accompaniment to begin with.
"Christ the Lord."
But, like many other questions she had for the two of them, Beryl suspected she'd never be getting an answer.
_._
"Sing choirs of angels,"
The women took over, their voices sweeping over the accompaniment.
"Sing in exultation,"
At the sound of such a familiar song, and one that was certainly not going to alter its course, several in the audience sank back into their seats with relief. They had appreciated the earlier songs with their unique inspirations. But there was something fulfilling and calming about knowing the direction the choir was currently taking.
"Sing all ye citizens of Heaven above."
"Glory," The men attacked the space with the powerful note, letting the ladies crescendo into "Glory to God!" only to purposefully let their voices step back at the sound of "God" - reeling the audience further in.
"All Glory in the highest."
_._
"O come let us adore Him," The sopranos faithfully held out the last of their lovely notes as the rest of the choir continued on.
"O come let us adore Him." They began to split into their various sections, making each part known to the crowd.
"O come let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord."
The pianists continued dutifully accompanying their singers, slowly building towards the key change and hinting to the audience that things were about to get magnificently impressive.
_._
"Ye, Lord, we greet Thee
Born this happy morning!"
The harmonies hinted as the choir continued to rise far beyond forte .
"Jesus to thee
Be all glory give,"
"Word of the Father,"
The sopranos arced through their splendid notes, working alongside the altos, the tenors, the baritones and basses to produce further glorious sound - sound that permeated every centimeter of the auditorium.
"Now in flesh appearing,"
No one was asleep for such a potent song - and certainly not at such a mesmerizing section.
"O come let us," The men quietly began, still commanding the audience's attention.
"O come," The sopranos serenely followed, calling out to the crowd as the altos allowed the ripple to continue with a chilling, "O come let us adore,"
The reverberations written out for the choir were followed to the letter, allowing the various parts individually come forth and interact with the audience - clearly showing off their magnificent ranges before joining together as a whole once more.
"O come let us
Adore him,
Christ,"
With the sounds of musical resolution on the way, many watching began to hold their breath in great anticipation.
"The Lord."
Each part proudly held out their note for the next several seconds, as the accompaniment continued to carry them all to the end of the piece.
_._
Mr. Carson began to stand, absorbing in the gorgeous applause with delight. Elsie warmly looked at him, taking in the moment for what it was.
"They were quite splendid." She complimented in a hushed tone, garnering only a serious nod of agreement as the man stepped around the piano to take his customary spot on the stage. Her lips contained twitches of mirth as she watched him confidently approach the choir.
Only he could turn the action of walking into a performance filled with considerate propriety and graceful decorum.
_._
It was with an exhalation of relief that Mr. Carson arrived at the center of the stage, now taking his customary spot in front of his choir. While a choir director is not supposed to biased when it comes to the ensembles, even a conductor can have his favorites. After all, many of these singers before him had been his students since the first day they started at Downton. He'd had the pleasure of watching them blossom from hesitant pupils to fantastic performers - well-verse in regards to diction, vowel modification, clarity of pitch, and more.
Suffice to say, he was indeed proud of them.
The students met his solemn face, noting the sense of pride that still peeked through his stern demeanor. Now being experience enough to read through his stern demeanor, their hearts were warmed by the praise. And this firmly remained the case even as they maintained their own focused expressions - knowing that there were still several more songs to perform.
He lifted his hands, turning to Elsie so as to ensure that she would come in playing the piano precisely when he wanted her to.
_._
"Bashana,"
The melody now floating from the piano blanketed the room with a feeling of somber nostalgia. The voices held a hushed tone of quiet, introspective remembrance.
"Haba'ah."
Their words rose in dynamics, the Hebrew sung as though it were deeply familiar - instead of learned within the last four months.
"Bashana,
Haba'ah."
The piano was the only instrument, other than the voices of the choir. This arrangement was rarer to hear performed live, but was still as potent as any of the others.
"Bashana Haba'ah.
Neishev al hamiperset,
V'nispor tziporim nod'dot."
The men were the first in this segment, their serious voices reflecting the mood of the piece quite well.
"Y'ladim b'chufsha,
Y'sachaku tofeset
Bein habayit l'vein
Hasadot."
There was a hopefulness within their voices, balancing the dark and reminiscing accompaniment.
"Od tir'eh, od tir'eh,
Kama tov yihiyeh
Bashana bashana
Haba'ah."
The women repeated the chorus, reflecting the sentiment of how the audience would see just how good it will be next year. The sopranos soared into the sky of higher notes - not quite reaching the stratosphere, but certainly landing among the clouds.
The notes from the piano continued, still dancing in the idea of the possibilities for the next year. The choir rejoined the accompanist, starting with a low, piano "Oh" that grew into a spine-chilling level - daring to go past fortissimo.
"Bashana," The sopranos started, the lower sections echoing not far behind.
"Haba'ah!"
"Neishev al hamirpeset
V'nispor tziporim nod'dot!"
"Y'ladim," "Bashana"
"B'chufsha" "Habah'ah"
The sounds bounced back and forth between the sections as each rippled through the feelings of fighting for optimism. This was no longer a serene piece that spoke of fading nostalgia. It was a battle in the minor-key - a fight that illustrated the belief that there are things to look forward to in the future.
"Y'sachaku tofeset
Bein habayit l'vein hasadot!"
The chorus repeated twice, absorbed into the fabric of mournful hope - mournful for the loss of time, hopeful for what could be.
They quieted down, the echoes of next year sounding throughout the auditorium once more.
"Bashana,
Haba'ah."
The notes of the piano twirled through the heart wrenching sounds that accompany many a Jewish song, ending on one final somber note.
_._
The appreciative applause shook the mood of the stage, stirring every performer back to reality. Performing such a beautiful and melancholic piece required a great deal of energy. Doing so tended to result in lowered spirits all around and a darker mood overall.
Little did the audience know, this next song that was to be performed wasn't all that much better - in regards to a contemplative and mournful tone.
Though, there would be an appreciation to be had, nevertheless.
_._
The two girls shared a glance with their conductor before stepping off the risers and walking to the front.
"I didn't know Anna and Mary would be performing a duet." Robert whispered his question to his wife, but she was already starting to lean forward and give the two singers her full attention.
Though, she had enough time to hand him the program before fully immersing herself in the song:
"Oh, I see." He opened the program, not having been giving it his proper attention before. She shushed him before he could make any more noise, as the song was going to begin soon.
Squinting as best as he could in the lighting, Robert hastily scanned the program for the appropriate section. He found it record time, taking note that the solos were indeed written out as such:
Concert Choir
"O Come All Ye Faithful" as arranged by Dan Forrest
"Bashanah Haba'ah" as arranged by John Leavitt
"Breath of Heaven" as arranged by Craig Courtney
- Combined Solo: Mary Crawley and Anna Smith
"Sleep Little Baby Sleep" as composed by Robert S. Cohen
_._
Mary looked up towards where she knew her parents would be sitting. The stage lights did make it practically impossible for her to truly see them, but she was rather pleased that she could in fact make out their silhouettes in the light.
Anna, on the other hand, didn't know if her parents had been able to make it tonight. Though, even if they didn't, it'd be okay: she at least got to sing with her friends.
Though, it was a bit unnerving, stepping forward to sing a solo. The lights were pressing themselves into her eyes mercilessly, the stuffy air not doing any wonders for her now pounding heart.
But, as she walked forward, she remembered that she wasn't alone.
And as that realization took hold of her, it became easier to breathe.
_._
Elsie began to play the appropriate notes once she was cued, watching both girls out of the corner of her eye.
"I have traveled,"
Anna was first, the nerves showing themselves in the unusually breathy quality and shallow breathing she now held. She carried the appropriate notes, and her nerves did allow her emotions to come through. She was just new to the world of solo performance, that much was clear.
"Many moonless nights."
The nerves faded a little, but the shallow breaths still remained.
"Cold and weary,
With a babe inside."
Mary put a hand on her friend in comfort, turning her head so that the mic would also pick up her voice. For it was now her turn to sing.
"And I wonder what I've done."
She did hold a beautiful tone, one that Elsie had to admit was quite suited to these notes. With a voice now clearly sailing around the room, the choir teacher had to also confess that Mary was indeed suited to the solo.
"Holy Father you have come,"
They both started to sing into the mic after this lyric, the emotion coming more strongly from Mary whereas the confidence Anna normally held was beginning to return.
"And chosen me now," Their voices blended fabulously - emotion and power combining for an impactful solo.
"To carry your son."
_._
The soloists returned to their spots on the risers as the choir prepared to descend into the song one last time.
"I am waiting,"
The hints of exhausted despair emanated as they continued.
"In a silent prayer.
I am frightened,
By the load I bear."
The audience was chilled by the haunting melody, taken in with the sorrowful song.
"In a world
As cold as stone.
Must I walk this path alone?"
The women continued to carry the weight of singing on their own shoulders, sending goosebumps and shivers through the crowd.
"Be with me now."
"Be with me now."
They arrived at the chorus of the piece, the piano notes twinkling in a hope that rose above the burdens.
"Breath of heaven,
Hold me together."
The gentlemen joined the ladies, mirroring the melody in their respective octave.
"Be forever near me,
Breath of heaven."
"Breath of heaven,
Lighten my darkness.
Pour over me your holiness,
For you are holy."
The notes sank into silence, as though the singing were the light being searched for and the silence were the abyss of darkness that so desperately fought the light.
"Breath of heaven."
_._
Elsie continued to play the accompaniment, surprisingly still taken in by the melody - even after all the times she'd had to play it for auditioning soloists.
Of course, it was a different experience when she was able to progress throughout the song and work with a choir - instead of practicing with an individual.
"Do you wonder," The ladies asked, rising in volume as the men followed, "Do you wonder,"
"As you watch my face,"
"If another," "If another,"
"Should have had my place?"
While she wasn't necessarily religious per se, she could relate to a song like this. Wondering if she was on the right path, questioning whether or not she should have gone another way.
"But I offer all I am,
For the mercy of your plan,"
Sometimes, though it felt frustrating, it was necessary to go along with life's plan and see just what the world had to offer.
"Help me be strong."
The choir softened a little in dynamic, coming into mezzo-piano.
"Help me be."
Mezzo-piano quieted to something that branched between piano and pianissimo - becoming an almost silent plea.
"Help me."
_._
"Breath of heaven,"
The sopranos gathered the melody in hand once more, the lower sections either following them or trailing right after.
"Hold me together."
It felt like the journey of the century was being conveyed in these voices.
"Be forever near me,
Breath of heaven."
"Breath of heaven,
Lighten my darkness.
Pour over me your holiness,
For you are holy."
_._
Her hands rose up the keys of the piano with ease, bringing the choir towards the key change of the piece. And as her her hands traveled up the keys, his hands rose to bring them to a new level of dynamics when it came to their sound.
"Breath of heaven!"
No more was it to be pleading whispers.
"Be forever near me,
Breath of heaven!"
The men started the melody this time, supporting the women as they sprang into varied lines of melody and harmony.
"Breath of heaven!
Pour over me your holiness
For you are holy!"
They followed their director's lead, coming back down into mezzo-piano.
"Breath of heaven," The ladies sang, alone once again.
"Breath of heaven," The men murmured in response, as Anna and Mary were now walking back to the soloist mic.
"Breath of heaven." Their voices rippled around the auditorium, fading into the air. They stood there in silence, waiting for their choir teacher to bring the song to a beautiful end.
_._
"Sleep,"
Robert was not the only one seriously considering the suggestion now being sung by the choir.
"Sleep,"
It wasn't his fault, not really - it couldn't be help when the melody was quite so hypnotic.
"Sleep, little baby, sleep,
The holy Angels love thee,"
The lower sections now singing blanketed the room with a comforting tone, lulling the crowd further into the tranquil piece.
"And guard thy bed and keep
A blessed watch among thee."
"No spirit can come near,
Nor evil beast to harm thee."
It was a song that turned the grand auditorium into a sanctuary of sorts - that allowed any and all tension to be soothed away.
"Sleep," "Little baby, sleep"
"Sleep," "Little baby, sleep,"
The main lyric was eased back and forth between the altos and the tenors whilst the sopranos' maintained dulcet tones to help induce sleep.
_._
"Devoid of fear,
Where nothing need alarm thee."
Elsie had been so taken with this charming rendition when she first heard it within these walls.
"The love," "The love which doth not sleep,
The eternal Arms surround thee."
Even as she trailed along to the peaceful song in this moment, she could feel all weariness and pain - the strains she didn't even realize she carried - fade away.
"The shepherd of the sheep
In perfect love hath found thee.
Found thee."
_._
Charles watched his choir as his hands guided them through the calming song.
"Sleep through the holy night,
Christ kept from snare and sorrow."
He saw all the stress that normally overtook his charges leave them as they continued to perform. Kind smiles and soft beams, expressions that deeply resonated with the song's comforting message, brushed away the fatigue that was typical at this time of year.
"Until thou wake to light
And love and warmth tomorrow."
And though he normally never spared a glance at anything other than his students in the middle of the concert he did make one exception.
At the sound of particular lyrics, he did briefly glimpse at the pianist who had been wonderfully accompanying them throughout this entire semester.
_._
"Sleep through the holy night,
Christ kept from snare and sorrow."
Burdens continued to be assuaged.
"Sleep," "Little baby, sleep,"
"Sleep," "Little baby, sleep,"
Fears and tensions were alleviated, temporarily let go of for as long as possible.
"Sleep until thou wake
To light and love and warmth."
The reassuring tones made it possible for the audience to drift into the depths of vocal comforts.
"Tomorrow."
_._
"Sleep,"
"Little baby, sleep,"
The tenors cradled the melody, delicately passing it to the altos after a few seconds.
"Little baby, sleep,"
This rocking of melody, moving back and forth between the two sections with ease, was the icing on the cake.
"Little baby, sleep,"
_._
The applause was a bit groggy this time, as many in the crowd had fallen under the spell of the song.
And, seeing as how this was the last song before the finales, it only made for Mr. Carson to make a speech - in an effort to wake up the crowd, of course.
"I would personally like to thank you all for coming to our show tonight," He started to intone most seriously, his gratitude quite sincere. "Without your support, this wouldn't be possible."
_._
The choir director spoke a little more, giving every student enough time to find their station within the room. The Treble Choir spread out throughout the balcony, Bel Canto took the sides of the main floor. The Men's Ensemble and the Bass Choir took the stage while the Women's Ensemble proudly stood in the orchestra pit.
All eyes were on Mr. Carson as he walked to the main floor, leaving the stage in order to conduct all the choirs more efficiently.
Upon arrival, he lifted one hand - firmly giving Mrs. Hughes the command to begin playing the first of the finale songs. She followed without question, her hands running over the familiar notes as a smile couldn't help but form on her face.
"Oh Holy Night,
The stars are brightly shining."
The lyrics certainly made it easy to recall a fond memory as she remembered meeting Charles while he had been humming this song to himself.
"It is the night of our dear Savior's birth."
And while she couldn't afford to lose her focus on the accompaniment, she certainly could fondly recall the days that had soon followed.
"Long lay the world
In sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth."
"A thrill of hope
The weary world rejoices,"
Her lips twitched in amusement at this, knowing that this thrill of hope referenced in "O Holy Night" was not the same one her mind was thinking of. But, it was true: getting this opportunity had brought her own thrill of hope - and for more than one reason at that.
"For yonder breaks
A new and glorious morn."
_._
"Fall on your knees,
Oh hear the angels' voices."
Charles deeply breathed in the gorgeous sound that was now encompassing the auditorium. 204 voices filled the space up with an excellent quality of sound that just couldn't be replicated.
"O night divine,
O night
When Christ was born."
Forte was easily reached with this army of singers, his hands striking through the air to control the tempo and dynamics.
"O night
Divine."
He brought them back towards mezzo-piano, guiding them towards an even-keel so the audience wouldn't be too overwhelmed by their vocal power just yet.
"Led by the light
Of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by his cradle
We stand."
Speaking of hearts and serenity, even in the midst of conducting this finale piece, he couldn't help but be drawn to a few memories now associated with this song. Moments spent on the stairwell, minutes tucked away in search for music.
"So led by light
Of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men
From the orient land."
After a few seconds, Charles tried to focus purely on the task at hand - directing his gaze only at his charges as he continued to conduct. Thinking of those memories would do nothing for the present moment at hand. Furthermore, a quick look at Elsie informed him that she was intently focused on playing the accompaniment - not reminiscing on the past.
Therefore, why should he?
"The King of Kings lay thus
In lowly manger,
In all our trials
Born to be our friend."
But, even with that rationale, it was hard to remain as focused as he might have once been.
_._
Beryl deeply breathed in the music now flooding the room.
"Fall on your knees,"
Why they had chosen this song, Elsie had never said.
"O hear the angels' voices."
It was clear there was a story behind it, judging from the blush that her friend held as she mentioned the finales.
"O night
Divine."
But, the story was never explained. No elaboration was given, just a quick mentioning and a very telling blush.
"O night,
When Christ was born."
Either way, it was an absolutely brilliant rendition of the song - sending shivers of awe down her spine.
"O night,
Divine.
O night,
O night divine."
_._
They circled back to the chorus once more, the magnificent level of sound building far past fortissimo for the final rendition of the chorus.
"Fall on your knees!"
The notes of the piano were no longer played delicately, the full potential of the instrument's force coming into play.
"O hear the angels' voices!"
Voices of all levels permeated the elegant room. Beginners who were singing in choir for the first time, students who had been training since they were four, all types of performers gave their heart and soul to singing this piece.
"O night divine
O night
When Christ was born!"
The audience leaned into the music, knowing that this was building into one final and grand section.
"O night
Divine!"
The sopranos took hold of the dazzling note, the altos swiping into their own rich sound as the tenors, baritones and basses maneuvered through to help create the heavenly chords.
The audience leapt to their feet once Mr. Carson released his hands from the air, another thundering applause immediately taking over the room.
_._
I told you we should have saved that for last.
The thought came with a shake of amusement as Elsie watched the crowd go wild - as wild as a crowd like this could, that is.
"Now how are we supposed to top that?" She quietly spoke to herself. However, she didn't mind all that much - now that the finales had started, it wasn't as though she could go back in time and change the order. Moreover, seeing as how they'd been debating about the finale set list ever since that fateful day in the music library, her energy was quite frankly spent.
The argument had been simple. He believed that the order of the finale songs should be chronological in regards to the celebrations, she was of the opinion that the grander of the two songs should be last. However, grandeur or not, this was one of the rare times in the last few months that Charles had won an argument. In this case, he had accomplished his objective solely by reminding his dear friend of the fact that he was her boss. As such, he had the final say on matters of importance - like the order when it came to the finale songs.
In short, he pulled rank.
Though, with a crowd now applauding them far more than at any previous point this evening, she could only assume he was retrospectively wishing they'd followed her idea.
_._
Charles basked in the applause once more, so very pleased that the first of the two songs had taken so well with the crowd.
Now it was true that this next piece would pale in comparison to "O Holy Night" in regards to splendor. However, it was the woman who inspired the selection that made it far more worthwhile to have this next song finish the show.
And speaking of Mrs. Hugh- Elsie,
He stole a glimpse at the woman in question, watching her still sat at the piano. She seemed deep in thought, contemplating something important no doubt. Though the playful look that was lightly reflected in her eyes reassured him that all was well.
_._
As the crowd was beginning to finally finish applauding from "O Holy Night", Elsie slowly stood up from the piano. The waves of all the emotions experienced within the last two hours were still coursing through her as she brought herself to her fullest height. As a professional musician, none of that internal conflict showed as she gently pressed down on the appropriate piano key - looking directly at Charles as she did so.
But, he saw through the facade in a heartbeat.
And, instead of cueing to choirs to start the final song of the evening, he merely looked back at her - even daring to raise an eyebrow.
Oh, so I'm to start it, am I? Like you had once suggested?
Yet Elsie was hardly upset with the man. Far from it - she was rather touched with the consideration he had about this. Choosing this song, having all these surprises for her within the last few weeks, it did touch her heart in a way she hadn't felt in quite a long time.
Though, touched hearts or not, she still believed "O Holy Night" should have ended the show.
Well, no matter. It was what it was.
And it also was time to get this song started before anything else occurred.
"Should auld acquaintance be forgot,"
She began to sing, gesturing for both the crowd and the singers to chime in. Heavens forbid this turn into a solo - her voice wouldn't be able to manage after this emotional roller coaster of a night.
"And never brought to mind?"
Most of them willingly followed, other than Violet Crawley and a few select others, of course.
"Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne?"
_._
Judging from Elsie's watery eyes and the slight blush now making its presence known, Beryl was willing to bet that this had been the choir director's idea.
"For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne."
Though she was equally willing to bet that it was her friend that had been the one to make it a sing-along in the style of a cappella , instead of a proper choir arrangement.
"We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne."
_._
The halls of Downton Academy were tranquil, brimming with a hopeful energy that transcended the auditorium and poured itself into every crevice of the school. An energy that spoke of new beginnings, of fond remembrances, and of brilliant potentials.
_._
"For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne."
_._
A/N: On that beautiful note, I'd like to mention there will be one more chapter - an epilogue of sorts - coming your way. Either way, I hope you have a brilliant rest of your day and I look forward to posting the final update of this story soon. Thank you so very much for being apart of this musical journey - it has been quite a pleasure!