The Lucia Crown by R.W. Wallace

Author:R.W. Wallace [Wallace, R.W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Varden Publishing
Published: 2021-12-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Three

I’m not supposed to actually wear the crown until the Lucia song at the end, so I pull it off as we take our places on the soprano side of the choir. The plan was for me to put the wreath off to the side behind the curtain but the murderous look on Perry’s face when he takes up his spot in the back makes me change my mind. I keep it in my hand and hold my hands behind my back so the audience won’t see it.

The concert is great. Not a single false start or off-tune note in sight and Kristin visibly relaxes as we plow through our repertoire and the audience obviously loves everything.

Then it’s time for the Santa Lucia song.

The lights are dimmed so we can only see each other’s white robes and the emergency exit lights. The audience, who knows the drill, keeps quiet.

The children’s’ choir, who have somehow managed to stay calm in the back rooms during the entire concert, march out and take up their places in front of us. They each have their fake candles lit, giving them a very soft glow just strong enough to light up their little faces.

And I step up to the very front, putting the crown on my head but leaving it unlit.

Kristin counts down from three, and the children start singing.

“Svart senker natten seg…”

While they sing of the black night, the room stays dark. I reach up to the wreath, finding the switch that will turn on the lights. God, I wish I’d had the time to test it before coming on stage.

As the children start the line where Lucia appears, I flip the switch.

The wreath lights up.

We do this every year and the audience is pretty much the same every year, since it’s mostly our parents, friends, and relatives. And yet, every year, there’s a general intake of breath when the Lucia appears.

This year is no exception.

For the second verse, the girls in our choir join in. They quickly light their candles and the light surges in synch with the volume of the song.

I also light my candle but I don’t sing. I’m just to stand there and look serene as I light the way through the darkness.

I see several hands on hearts and glittering eyes in the audience, including my parents out on the right wing.

For the third and final verse, the boys join in. More lights, more volume. More depth, especially with Perry’s beautiful tenor carrying us all to new heights.

This is what I always associate with singing in a choir. This magical moment, with the beautiful song starting out low in the belly and finishing off way up in the clouds. The feeling of being part of a group, being carried by a team.

And this year I get to be the central figure, like I always dreamed of.

The last notes taper off and the gym is left in silence. One newbie parent starts applauding but is quickly silenced by his neighbors. Most of them know the drill.

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