It was just 10 minutes before the start of the Angels Sing concert in 2021, the audience in the beautiful Second Presbyterian Church was packed, and the organist was set to begin the cheerful prelude music. Then everything went dark.

Josh Pedde appeared and without so much as a microphone, addressed the anxious crowd, “The power has gone out, but our choirs are ready to perform for you. We have an orchestra here, we have a piano, and we don’t need electricity to put on our concert. If you are willing to stay, we would love to still perform for you today.” The crowd erupted into an applause of approval.

After some swift safety modifications like stairway and backstage lighting, the concert began. The sounds of sweet singing filled the air lit only by the Christmas trees and candles at the front of the sanctuary, leaving the audience to truly tune into the music. During a time when people are so busy and easily wrapped up with glitz and glamor, this stripped away the senses and allowed everyone to be enveloped in the beauty of the sounds of the season.  

As the choir sang “Holy Child,” the singers were illuminated briefly during a key passage – “Lullaby, boy of mine, your eyes how they shine. Your Father has smiled on you.”

The lights reappeared and left just as quickly as they arrived, but this fleeting moment wasn’t meaningless for Josh. This was the first holiday season without his father, making this no ordinary light flicker, but a visible reminder of his love.

The singers felt the love as well. The ICC’s holiday performances are often noted as some of the singers’ favorites, but this was extra special. Magic was in the air, the kind that can’t be seen, but felt by all – the performers, the audience, the directors, everyone.

To remember this special concert that signified perseverance, community, and beautiful artistry amidst the darkness, the ICC now holds a candlelight concert as a part of the holiday performance lineup each year. We hope you can join us for this magical tradition this season, and we hope that we can help you make your own lasting memories and traditions to revisit for years to come.

Purchase tickets at icchoir.org/tickets, or make a donation to ensure that musical magic like this can be accessed by all children.