VOLUNTEER WORK - CHRISTMAS CAROL SINGING

Twas the week before Christmas

We ALTs of Shonai, full of festive cheer, wished to brighten the lives of some women in dire need of it - namely the heavily pregnant women at Tsuruoka Maternity Hospital.

In order to reach our destination, however, we had to battle the treacherous Shonai winds and dodge shafts of ice hurtling down from rooftops.  On entering the hospital we decided it a good idea to practice at least a couple of the songs before our public debut.  It was a fortunate thing that we did, as our timing was well, not in time!

But after some throat gargles, scales and vocal-warm-ups we were ready to for the big time. 

Whilst our performance area was somewhat removed from the public eye we belted out some old favorites, Silent Night, Amazing Grace, Yuletide Carol, Falalalala lala lalaaaa.

Although my contribution was limited to lip-movements, I’m sure our little congregation felt the festive cheer we were all projecting.  It was a lot of fun and it helped us get into the Christmas spirit too.

After our performance was over and the applauses had died down, we were permitted to see some of the newly born babies, with their wrinkled little faces and feet you just want to tickle. This is what Christmas is all about!!