Choral Ensembles Bring Holiday Cheer to Assisted Living Homes

Although Episcopal Munnerlyn Campus choral students were unable to hold the traditional Christmas Concert at St. John’s Cathedral, the chorus program decided to bring Christmas cheer to assisted living residents around Jacksonville who have been isolated because of the virus.

Students socially distanced and sang for residents at four locations: Angelwood, San Jose Gardens, Starling on San Jose, and Wyndham Lakes in Mandarin. Students sang a variety of Christmas carols for the residents and ended with a familiar sing-a-long that included “Hark! The Herald” and “Jingle Bells.” Students in the past had worked with the residents of San Jose Gardens and Starling with the Songbird program, a program that helps memory loss patients through song, so they were eager to get back and see the residents. Each student wrote a letter to a resident at each facility and the letters were given as a gift after the performance.

In addition, on Saturday, the ESJ Music for a Cause club, led by senior Samuel Salameh, went on a caroling tour as well. They were touring around town to raise money for Feeding Northeast Florida. Students went to Memorial Park, San Marco, and Chick-fil-a at the St. John’s Town Center. The students raised $250 for Feeding Northeast Florida.