I did promise to tell the whole story, so, without further ado, here it is:
I have been chatting with Kristyn for a while, and she expressed the desire to do some touring to promote her upcoming CD. As president of the Chorus of Communities, I had an "in" with a local church, so I offered to use my influence to get her an opening. To make a long, kinda dull part of the story short, I pulled together the church, the pianist, about a dozen singers from the chorus and our conductor, Bill Moore, who is familiar to Natasha and Crystal (they soloed with us last year), some Xmas goodies for afterward, and plastered the place with fliers, the only thing I couldn't supply myself was a big audience, which, alas we didn't get.
But, Kristyn, far from being annoyed, put her brave face on in a display of good grace and said we'd have fun and this was really a birthday party for Jesus, so we'd do our best.
So the evening of the concert (Monday, December 19th) I put on my bowtie (I was singing too, despite an annoying cough) got a corsage and some other things for Kristyn, and we assembled in the hall in back of Bethany (the church).
We began the concert with the chorus singing "For Unto Us a Child is Born" from Handel's venerable Messiah, and then it was Kristyn's turn to appear. I can only say the pictures barely do her justice, she looked incredibly pretty in her long garnet gown and abbreviated sparkling green jacket, tall and graceful with that long, thick brown hair, soft brown eyes twinkling with just a hint of mischief, and a broad, welcoming smile. :DThanking everyone for having her, she began with the late Victorian Christmas song "The Birthday of a King," which is a perfectchoice for a young soprano with its dramatic melodic arches and unabashed emotionality. :)Kristyn's voice has certainly come a long way since Sweet Freedom, when she and her friends were just starting out, pitch-perfect and strong in all registers, with a rich, dark, but not too dark tone and most of all, a lot of feeling. You could tell throughout the show, even without her patter between pieces, that she really believes what she is singing.
After enthusiastic applause, she introduced herself once more, and gave a bit about herself, that she does theater and ballet in addition to singing, and she appreciates shoes almost as art, she has a rack in her bedroom with many pairs, but, oddly, she doesn't like to wear them. So she was going to take hers off, but not to worry, she had rainbow-colored toe socks to stay warm.
Now that she was more comfy, she began to talk a bit about how the holday had become a bit too secularized and associated with presents, etc. She sang a wonderful clear rendition of "Sliver Bells," then followed with some comments that she'd picked up from children, unfortunately defining Christmas by what they got, save one, who on hearing during one of the old Rankin-Bass specials that Santa was going to have to cancel Christmas due to very bad weather (not to worry, Rudolph and his glowing nose save the day) said "they can't cancel Christmas, we still have Jesus, right?"
Her next song, in keeping with that, was "What is Christmas without Jesus," a contemporary song that asks that question and points to the principle of keeping Christ in Christmas. It must have struck a chord, for it moved a couple of observers to tears.
After a Bible reading (Luke 2:1-7) by our conductor, who is also a Methodist pastor, we in the chorus sang the somewhat unusual "Who Will Come on Christmas Morn" and the Polish carol "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly." Kristyn then mentioned the recent birth of her nephew, who she had marvelled at because he was so tiny, yet caused so much celebration, just like Christ. She followed with the calypso carol "Mary's Boy Child," sung in an easy, lyrical style and the Austrian lullaby "Still, Still, Still," pointing out that this reflected a moment she was well aware of when the baby is finally asleep and you dare not disturb the long-awaited quiet.
After a sing-along of "Silent Night" and "Away in A Manger" there was another reading (Luke 2:8-20), Kristyn, with boundless and very genuine enthusiasm, pointed out that this was really a birthday party for Jesus, and actually had all sing "Happy Birthday" to the guest of honor. Another sing-along of carols followed, and then a piece by her called "There's a Song in the Air." Although it was not the spiritual that begins with the same words, it was just as nice, certainly. She also mentioned something of the Center Drive Singers and their CD, stating that should she sell any, the proceeds would go to benefit the very worthy cause of her middle school's drama program. She also gave a little morale-building spiel about U.S. troops, which got a big cheer, NJ may be a blue state, but this is a red chorus in a red town.
We in the chorus then sang the gospel spiritual "Children Go Where I send Thee" acknowledging that some would say we, a white-collar suburban chorus, had a lot of nerve trying this one. Still, I think we did a passable, rendition, as Kristyn was fairly bouncing with enthusiasm when she took center stage again for Pietro Yon's lilting "Gesu Bambino." Though this was written in the 20th Century, it has become enough of a standard that most classical singers have recorded it, and Kristyn's rendition, with her voice flowing like fine wine, can stand with the best of them.
Following one more reading (Phillippians 2: 6-11) and a rendition of "Joy to the World" by all, Kristyn sang her favorite song of the evening, the lovely "Jesus is My Song of Grace," and the Hallelujah chorus brought everything to a close.
We had a reception afterward, with the usual Xmas cookies, cocoa, and so forth. Kristyn was wonderful, chatting with everyone who wanted to chat, posing for pictures (I took a few myself), signing copies of "Sweet Freedom" and other items with lovely personal messages, ;)and accepting hugs and kisses from all.
Several people did get copies of the CD, me included. She expressed sympathy for the all-too-soon loss of Keith, and it is a pity he did not ever get to hear her live.
I gave her a few presents, she certainly deserved a little gesture beyond flowers, even if it was only a stuffed ballerina bear and a book on singing. All too soon came time to say goodbye, and I gave her a big hug and kiss on the cheek,
telling her she'd be welcome back any time. I think I can say everyone on the Bethany and Chorus ruling councils concurs. Word will get around as to how good she is, and we'll have numbers if she returns.
So what can I say in terms of a final analysis, as one of my college professors, may he rest in peace, would say? I can say that, although Kristyn has some room to grow and develop her talent, she already has a very well-developed instrument that will be competitive in adulthood if she keeps up with it and does not abuse it. I can say that she has a very engaging and lovable stage manner that will attract and keep an audience, though it may need to be adjusted as she moves into young adulthood. Most of all, I can say she is as beautiful inside as she is outside when you talk to her, because she clearly has a lot of faith and a very big heart.
I do hope she will consent to returning when her CD is finished, perhaps in the spring, I already have ideas...
Several people did get copies of the CD, me included. She expressed sympathy for the all-too-soon loss of Keith, and it is a pity he did not ever get to hear her live. 
I gave her a few presents, she certainly deserved a little gesture beyond flowers, even if it was only a stuffed ballerina bear and a book on singing. All too soon came time to say goodbye, and I gave her a big hug and kiss on the cheek,