Songs for the Season

A Saturday evening after eight and there was hardly a free seat to be had in Saint-Boniface Church in Ixelles. Entertainment not enlightenment was the flavour of the evening and the stragglers who shuffled in from the cold were offered condoms rather than spiritual guidance. All Our Voices Against AIDS saw a trio of Brussels-based choirs, Vox Anima, Vox Pop and Tapalanote, take to the, er, altar to raise funds for HIV and AIDS education and prevention.  

First up, dressed in red and black, were Vox Pop, who sang a selection that included Joyful Joyful (made popular by the film Sister Act) and Andrew Lloyd Webber´s arrangement of Pie Jesu before rounding up with a medley of Michael Jackson hits. Next, Vox Anima showed their vocal flexibility, from soulful spiritual Wade in the Water to Coldplay's Viva La Vida and Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah.

Last, but by no means least, Tapalanote, Brussels' self-styled gay and lesbian choir, took to the stage sporting a rainbow of coloured scarves. With an energetic performance that reflects their philospohy for fun over flawless singing, they entertained the audience reprising songs made famous by Sinead O'Connor, Bryan Adams and Elton John. To close the evening, the choirs crowded together for the final number of the evening, Drôle de vie.

Squarely in the middle of the festive season, The Brussels Carol Concert is something of an institution in the Brussels expat calendar with a tradition that stretches back about 40 years. Welcoming guests to the Royal Conservatorium near the Sablon, master of ceremonies Ian Forrester promised “a whiff of New Zealand and a whiff of the Netherlands”.

An instrumental of Danny Boy on flute and harp opened a varied programme. Musical director Dirk Boiy, engaging and jovial, blended instrumentalists from La Monnaie Opera Orchestra and voices young and old under his baton. Classics such as O Holy Night performed by soloists Nicolai Getti and Sarah Knauf contrasted with the foot-stamping The Donkey's Christmas Carol by the children's choir. The Samba Carol, written especially for the occasion by Derek Roberts, was especially well received.

The proceeds of the concert go to support the work of Professor Jacques Jani, a world leader in foetal surgery, and his team at Queen Fabiola Children's University Hospital. Thanking all involved with the event, Forrester said, “Talented choirs produce beautiful performances only after practice. The world is just a little bit a better place as a result of their efforts.”

Catch more seasonal music with Bach's Christmas Oratorio performed by the BachWerk choir in the Pro-Cathedral of Holy Trinity off Avenue Louise on Saturday, 20 December.

And remember…choirs are not just for Christmas. Vox Anima, Vox Pop and Tapalanote invite new members to get in touch year-round, and the Brussels Carol Concert team start rehearsing in September.