In 1979, Staples High School’s Candlelight Concert was already nearly 4 decades old.
To some people, 1979 seems like almost yesterday. But musicians from that year’s production are old enough to have grandchildren on stage tonight and tomorrow, for the 83rd annual “Staples Music Department gift to the town.”
The 1979 Candlelight Concert.
It’s unlikely there will be any grandkids — not this year, anyway. Give those ’79 alums a few more years.
But Candlelight will welcome them, whenever they’re ready. It’s one of Westport’s oldest and proudest traditions.
From the opening “Sing We Noel” processional to the rousing “Hallelujah Chorus” finale, it’s timeless.
Yet the Candlelight Concert changes with the times, too. Over the years, the symphonic band was added to the program. So was a production number.
The 1983 production number — 40 years ago, this weekend.
This year, for the first time in over 40 years, a special commissioned piece — by alums Jake Landau and Emily Garber — will be premiered.
Also new: choral director Lauren Pine makes her Candlelight debut.
If you’re lucky enough to have scored tickets: enjoy! But whether you’ll be there or not: If you have any Candlelight Concert memories to share, click “Comments” below.”
“Sing We Noel” processional, 2011. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
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50 years ago this week:
A severe ice storm led to a significant “power failure the likes of which can’t be remembered in Fairfield County,” the Westport News report.
Connecticut Light & Power said that 90% of Weston lost electricity at some point; 1/3 of Westport customers were impacted. It took up to a week for some customers in the state to regain power.
Though the movie “The Ice Storm” is not based on a true story, it takes place on Thanksgiving weekend in 1973 — exactly 50 years ago.
1107 Hope Street, Stamford, after the 1973 ice storm.
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