—by Wendy Kerner

A few years ago, I played the harp for a Christmas party at a private home. It was a lovely event, and I was thoroughly enjoying sharing my music. 

Eventually, two young boys, roughly 8 and 10 years old, arrived with their parents. While the adults caught up with friends, the boys drifted away and gravitated toward the harp, standing quite close to me. I felt some concern, imagining sticky fingers reaching for the strings. My anxiety grew when they began roughhousing a bit, but they quickly settled down, watching and listening intently. 

Soon, they were asking questions about the instrument and what Christmas music I knew. I told them I had a large selection of holiday pieces and asked the older boy for his favorites. He named a few, and then asked a surprising question: “Can I sing with you?” 

I hesitated. I had no idea what to expect and didn’t want to cause a disruption to the party. Hoping to keep it brief and simple, I suggested one verse of “Silent Night.” When he started to sing, I was absolutely amazed. He had an incredible voice—a gorgeous, pure sound with flawless pitch. Delighted, I asked him about his background. He revealed that he sang in a choir, took voice lessons, and had just performed the title role of Amahl in a major New York City production of Amahl and the Night Visitors. 

My initial hesitation vanished. We spent the rest of the evening collaborating, and I had a wonderful time accompanying him through a long list of holiday favorites. He truly transformed the evening into an unforgettable night for everyone there—especially me. •