Remembrance Day is for Remembering

Our youngest son Scott, who sang with Amabile Boys and Men’s Choirs for a decade, couldn’t be there for the annual Amabile In Remembrance concert this year. It was always his favourite concert of the season, but now as a Lieutenant, on active military duty with 414 Squadron, Ottawa, he joined thousands of others at the National War Memorial for the Remembrance Day ceremony there.  He called and asked me to “thank the guys for singing today... and for remembering.” (In full disclosure: I had the best seat in the house, as the narrator for the afternoon.) He would have been proud as the world-renowned Amabile Boys and Men’s Choirs continued its annual tribute and London, Ontario tradition to those who gave their lives in the name of Freedom...and those, like Scott who serve today. 

Each year, the choirs choose a special theme of remembrance and this year, they focused on the stories of women impacted by war. The concert opened with Caccini’s “Ave Maria,” the most well-known story of a mother who tragically lost her only son – majestic simplicity in the amazing acoustics of the cathedral. And then all four boys and men’s choirs told of those left behind in song and story: a young wife, turned aircraft mechanic to support her young son; an 18 year-old girl assigned to the records department who coordinated paperwork as soldiers departed, full of hope and pride.  

The repertoire always features a significant number of selections by Canadian composers, and oftentimes original compositions and arrangements by members of Primus, Amabile Men’s Choir. This year featured the poignant “Soldier’s Cry” arranged by Trent Worthington, “Carrickfergus” by Mark Sirett, “ and an arrangement of “In Flanders Fields.” The highlight of the concert was a signature piece commissioned specially for this concert by Primus from London composer, Jeff Christmas, entitled “Remember” for the laying of the wreathe by Grace Shewan, WWII veteran and war bride. The cathedral acoustics echoed as trumpeter, Gwyn Beynon, played the Last Post and Reveille, and the ceremony came to a close with an uplifting arrangement of Stephen Schwartz’s “Beautiful City” from Godspell -- Out of the ruins and rubble; Out of the smoke; Out of our night of struggle; Can we see a ray of hope? One pale thin ray reaching for the day. We can build a beautiful city, Yes, we can; We can build a beautiful city, Not a city of angels. But we can build a city of man, Brick by brick, heart by heart, we can start learning now.

After a rousing singalong with the audience of WWI and WWII favourites, the incredible afternoon came to a close, all too soon.  One could see, by the tears on faces and the hush in the stillness, that the messages of peace, hope and love were felt and heard. 

Scott is hopeful that he can make it for next year’s concert, to thanks the guys in person.