‘Christmas Changes Everything Concert’ Lifts holiday spirits at OLPH

An impressive assembly of young singers from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Academy and Ss. Cyril and Methodius Schools and several adults gathered in the church’s sanctuary to bring to life many Christmas favorites at the “Christmas Changes Everything Concert.”

Opening with a rousing version of “Joy to the World,” the 35-member choir, accompanied by strings, brass, woodwinds and percussion, set the mood for the hour-and-a-half performance at Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Dec. 9.

Director Ruben Galabeas has been assembling Christmas concerts like this one for several years, pausing the last two seasons because of the pandemic. But Galabeas is happy to again wield his conductor’s baton and wholeheartedly embraced the challenge of weekly rehearsals in preparation for such a performance that has become a tradition for parishioners and community members who look forward to this event every year.

“We have been rehearsing since September,” the amiable Galabeas says moments before the singers and musicians gathered to begin the concert. “We try to create a mood that glorifies the Lord, who blesses us with our voices, and we give those musical gifts back to him in this special way.”

The concert was free, but guests were invited to purchase raffle tickets to win items that ranged from gift card gaming systems to bicycles. Various individuals and businesses donated these items, and the money raised from the raffle will benefit Our Lady of Perpetual Help Academy.

The choir mixed the sacred with the secular; their setlist included a reflective version of “Is There Room in Your Heart” and an equally moving performance of “The Birthday of the King.” The nine youngest members sang a festive rendition of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” The whole ensemble ended the evening on a high note, with everyone, including the audience, singing and clapping to a lively version of “Feliz Navidad.”

“The songs are meant to not only lead the audience to revisit their memories of Christmas, adds Galabeas, “but to also unite us in song and praise as only music can.”