The Chapel Christmas Concerts

My blurb, a remembrance by Brian Benape and two carols from Susan.

Victorian Valley Chapel -David Densmore

“Carol of the Bells”

Accompanied by Brian Becvar

David writes:

Missing The Queen of Christmas

Susan loved Christmas, the doing of Christmas, the deep contemplation of Christmas, making Christmas for others, sharing the Christmas story. For many, Susan was the Queen of Christmas. (As evidence of predestination her middle name was Merri). We were tapped to play Mary and Joseph at the Cathedral of St. John the divine in NYC. Of course it was Susan's voice not my acting that conveyed a holy presence. She played the role of The Ghost of Christmas Present a number of years in Jim Bredouw's musical version of 'A Christmas Carol' (I was Marley’s Ghost) and, over twenty five years, Christmas for many local folk meant coming to the little Victorian Valley Chapel over Christmas week to participate in Susan's chapel concert.

Volunteers would join Deborah Sparks and Leslie Seaman to decorate the chapel with cedar and fir, with lights and ribbons, with candles in the stained glass windows. Hot apple cider would appear at intermission round the fire thanks to Sandy Sanders then Kandis Susol, Mimi Anderson and others. For 25 years different musicians would accompany Susan in weaving a magical spell. Martin Lund, Gene Nery, Bruce Harvie, Ritambhara Tyson, Bill Lauf, Steve Alboucq, Nancy Rumbel, Caroline Cruso, to name just a few.

If there was snow, all the better. If there was a full moon, perfection. Mix in Ian Lister on the bag pipes in the valley - we have achieved sublime Christmas enchantment…

Then there was the ice and the mud, the blizzards and the cars needing a push by the valiant Parking Angels - Dave Roseberry, John Sumral, Michael Hurwicz, Joe Goodrich, Fred Enge, and me before we trooped into the sacred chapel to sing our silly song of the season.

May you share many precious moments this holiday.

Brian Benape, staff writer for ‘The Islands’ Sounder’, and friend of Susan wrote this beautiful obituary and remembrance of the Christmas Concerts.

I want to share Brian's writing with you in the spirit of the season; in honor of the loved ones who are no longer among us and the memories we made together:

Susan Osborn

I have been invited to write about Susan.

As I sit at my desk, I start by wondering where she was born, when she got to Orcas, and about every band she was ever in. I wanted to know just how famous she was in Japan and America.

I’ve been on Google. Most of this is there. Most of the information. And it’s phenomenal—the catalog of music, the accomplishments, the fame, the musical legacy that has lifted the hearts of tens of thousands.

But tonight, this isn’t inspiring me. What is sticking in my mind is a small church in a small valley on a small island. What follows is a picture of what I remember.

In the best of years, Old Man Winter has laid a soft blanket of snow across the gentle hill that leads down to the church. The last car has found a place to park. It is evident the couple leaving the car have been in love for many years. A leather glove holds a soft wool mitten with tenderness.

Because of the snow, all sounds are immediate. The intimate crunching of two pairs of footsteps going towards the door could be coming from anywhere.

Looking down on the church, one is allowed to enter the real world of a painting by Thomas Kinkade. The warm glow of candlelight comes through the windows and lands on the snow, making forgiving rectangles that have lost their sharp edges.

Inside, the last couple have found their seats. The chatter that is the nature of close friends and neighbors softens and silence is found.

Susan is standing at the altar. She is resplendent. She could be an actual angel. A prophet. A mystic. She smiles. And though there is no fireplace or heat in the chapel, hearts are warmed.

There are some instruments surrounding her: a guitar, a flute, and a hammer dulcimer. But the opening invocation will be a capella. Susan takes a deep breath, and 100 people hold theirs in anticipation.

When the first note arrives, it is so pure that there is a communal ache in the hearts as this wave of beauty washes over them. Some faces lift up, looking towards heaven. Other heads bow in a natural prayer that doesn’t depend on religion but on the simple faith that there is powerful goodness in the world, and they are in the presence of it.

Even under the heavy clothing that covers the arms, hair is standing on end. The hands of lovers intertwine. Children are not restless.

The music that flows from Susan is astonishing and yet comforting. It is being in the presence of genius that offers you a cup of hot cider with a stick of cinnamon to stir it.

This is the Christmas Concert in the Chapel in Victorian Valley. Susan will do this year after year for over twenty-five years. It will become historic.

When the last note of the evening softens to its release, no one will make a sound. They have just seen a glorious star go from one end of the sky to the other and want to stay in the moment as long as possible. Some are wiping away the last of their tears. The applause that follows is informed by the essence of the evening: gratitude, humility and wonder.

When people begin to stand, a line forms so that there can be some connection of thankfulness. Now Susan is no longer an Angel. She is a friend among friends, a neighbor among neighbors. If a hand is offered, she reaches to hold it. She is laughing quietly, she is laughing outloud.

This is Susan in the market. This is Susan at Laurna’s. This is Susan at the Living Room. This is Susan.

It would be silly to take away from Susan the humanity of anger, jealousy, or righteous indignation because she delighted in being human. She delighted in being part of humanity.

But is rare to catch her in these moments, as it is not her natural state. Susan is kind. Susan is compassionate. Susan is nurturing. Susan is a resting place of peace. Susan is a funny, funny girl. Susan is a joy to behold.

Susan Osborn, Born February 26, 1950, Year – Into the Infinite.

“What is this fragrance?”

Accompanied by Brian Becvar

More of Susan’s Christmas Carols are available for free listen or download at https://www.susanosbornsings.com/music the album is “All Through the Night”.

Feel free to share your Chapel memories in the comments.