Have You Seen This Man?

Of course, you have! On the left, you have me with Santa Claus in 1952, with my older brother Howard as my backup, making sure that Santa got my list right as I dictated it to him. On the right, you have me as Santa in 1992. Can you find me in there? I was invited to be Santa on a number of occasions in my adult life, but never with more pleasure than at the annual Sing For Your Supper Christmas party hosted each year by Michael and Mary Johnston. Sadly, we lost Mary in 2012––and Mike just after last Christmas in January 2024.

Mary and Mike were long-time friends, advisors and supporters who played a significant role in my own life as a conductor and educator. They were both there when the New Jersey Youth Symphony was founded in 1979. They were both there for the birth of the Philharmonic Orchestra of New Jersey in 1987 and the launch of The Discovery Orchestra in 2006. On a very personal note, they were there when their daughter Virginia, as a high school student, was principal clarinetist of the New Jersey Youth Symphony and later, Executive Director of both the Philharmonic Orchestra of New Jersey and The Discovery Orchestra. Mary and Mike’s generous financial support of all three of these orchestras was pivotal to their development and success. I feel grateful to the Johnstons beyond my ability to express it.

But going back to their Christmas party––as the name Sing For Your Supper implies, guests did not just arrive and begin eating, drinking and being merry! A serious holiday sing-along preceded supper. Mary, an accomplished professional harpist, would play. Neighbors who were guitarists and banjo players would also join in. Virginia’s husband Dan and my wife, Marcia, would play the piano. The repertoire? Every favorite popular Christmas song you’ve ever sung or heard, from I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas to Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, and all of your favorite Christmas carols. The words and music were provided to each guest in a song book which Mary and Mike had produced for the occasion!You name it––we sang it. And the pièce de résistance? The singing would culminate in choruses from the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah––And the Glory of the Lord, For Unto Us a Child Is Born, Glory to God. I’m here to tell you that among the assembled guests were some very well-trained amateur and professional singers. The Johnston sing-along set a high standard.

         Christmas has never been quite the same for me since these gatherings came to an end––and not for being unable to be Santa. Music was at the very center of these celebrations. And because this holiday season can be such an unbelievably stressful time for so many people, I encourage you to make music the centerpiece of yourholiday! Listen to it, sing it, play it! For me, music remains the greatest gift we’ve ever received as a species––and we should know that we owe the birds a huge debt of gratitude forhelping get us started. Let music transport you to the place you want and need to be––not just now, but every day.

Thank you, Mike and Mary!