Standing and singing Christmas songs with several hundred fellow Greater Port Arthur citizens sure lets you get that Christmas feelings rolling.

Last Tuesday, the Symphony of Southeast Texas performed their second free show in downtown Port Arthur, this one at Woodrow Wilson Early College High School on Lakeshore Drive. The event would be their closeout performance for the 2018 season. Their first was back in May at Lamar State College Port Arthur.

During a special section of the performance, Port Arthur Memorial High School choir members came out and led the audience in song. Standing together, singing and smiling with one another. What an amazing feeling it was!

As we sang, I looked around at others standing, belting out each note with huge smiles on their face. Leaving the division often felt between ages and races completely outside the gorgeous building, we were in together with friends, family and fellow fans of great music.

Music has a way of doing that. It brings people together. Especially a symphony with the amazing talent this one possesses. It tends to soothe the mind, make us feel good and understand the enjoyment brought about by the little things in life that are really not that little.

Conductor Chelsea Tipton is an entertainer of the highest regard. His engaging personality allows him to visit with the audience between numbers, almost as if he is having a conversation with a very close friend. Sharing information, telling jokes and feeling at ease throughout.

I mentioned above about the Port Arthur Memorial High School Choir. They, too, played a huge part in the enjoyable evening under the direction of Director Lonnie Reed. Prior to leading us in song, they shared a number that showcased the incredible talent by these young men and ladies who will one day represent the future of Port Arthur.

During the last number of the evening, special guest Dr. Mark Porterie was brought on stage to assist the symphony in their final song. Playing the bells in “Sleigh Ride,” slaying (pardon the pun) every note as if a master of his own instrument.

But I would be remiss if I didn’t give a huge thank you to Motiva for making this event happen. Both concerts during 2018 wer made possible — the first in part, the second in whole — by the generous people of Motiva, giving a special Christmas gift to all those that had the opportunity to attend.

Through the night, we came together as a community, we came together in song and we came together for Christmas.

Thank you, Motiva.

Thank you, Symphony of Southeast Texas.

Thank you, Port Arthur Memorial Choir.

And thank you, everyone who came out to the event last Tuesday.

May you all have a very Merry Christmas this coming week. And I will see you next year.

Rich Macke is publisher of The Port Arthur News.