Representatives from rival schools came together to unite in harmony on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. at Harp’s Crossing Baptist Church (Hwy. 94 S.) All competitive rivalry and jokes were put aside as McIntosh High School Choral director Ms. Hannah Beth Potter and Whitewater High School Choral Director Mr. Richard Prouty co-organized a charity concert to benefit Bloom Closet. The songs of the evening were accompanied by the Whitewater Wind Ensemble and the McIntosh Symphonic Orchestra.

Students from both schools had been preparing for the concert since mid October to perform an array of holiday songs. The concert featured three McIntosh soloists: Sophomore Tyler Lane, Junior Malcolm Ambrose and Junior Mikeila McQueston.

The concert 0pened with students walking down the aisles to the stage while they sang “Joy to the World.” Following the song, two Whitewater choirs and the McIntosh Choralettes and Bel Canto choirs performed “Candles of December” and “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day.”

The regular ensemble concluded and took their seats in the pews while Whitewater and McIntosh men began “The Boar’s Head Carole.” What followed afterwards was a Nigerian carol called “Betelehemu.” The song had an entire clapping routine to accompany the percussionists.

After the men concluded their pieces, the advanced female choir members sang “Candlelight Carol.”  They continued with a unique arrangement of the “The First Noel.” When all the instrumentalists rested, the singers performed an a Capella version of “The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.” They finished with a lively song titled ” Go Where I Send Thee.”

The men joined the choir again for “Ose Shalom,” a Hebrew song to recognize Hanukkah’s arrival. Next they sang “A Christmas Lullaby”  and “I Saw Three Ships,” the first classic carol of the evening.

As the conclusion of the concert neared, the groups performed selections from Handel’s “Messiah.”  The audience rose to the grand “Hallelujah” chorus just before speakers on behalf of the Bloom Closet approached to describe the program.

According to bloomouryouth.org, “Bloom is a private, non-profit organization that was founded in 1986 by a group of Fayette County citizens recognizing the need for children to have a safe refuge from abuse and neglect.” Bloom is an organization to help children transition into their new life out of abuse. They help to provide clothing, school supplies and toys for free to foster families and children.

Following the speakers, the choirs invited the audience to join them in “Silent Night” as lyrics were projected on the screens. After the song, the directors announced that over $3,000 had been donated to the Bloom Closet that evening.  The evening concluded with everyone coming together to sing “O Come All Ye Faithful.”