I had a different column ready to go for this publication – you were going to learn all about the holiday concert season here at the Wilmington Children’s Chorus.
The title I was going to suggest was “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year at WCC!”
But everything changed for the Wilmington Children’s Chorus family when Brison Hunter-Chamberlain, a beloved chorister and alumni of our Performing Choirs, passed away unexpectedly.
Brison sang with WCC for 10 years. He started with our choir at 8 years old.
I remember him as a little third grader who couldn’t sit still during rehearsals. In fact, I went to look for pictures of his very first concert with WCC and I realized I could only see the top of his head because we hid him behind a podium (that’s where some of our most ‘’wiggly’’ children get placed during concerts).
He was a goofy and loveable boy who we had the privilege of watching grow into a talented and dedicated young man.
Our staff and choristers are heartbroken. For some of our kids, this is the first time they’re navigating loss.
Our team is walking a balance of supporting children and alumni while managing their own grief.
But in the midst of everything, I am shocked to find joy. Joy over connecting with alumni who remember singing with Brison and goofing off with him at rehearsals. Joy over reminiscing with my colleagues about how silly and sweet he could be. Joy in listening to our kids talk about how much they loved Brison and love each other.
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It reassures me that the work we’re doing is even more meaningful than I could predict. Making music together matters. Singing together creates deep, lasting, and memorable bonds.
I’ve never felt more strongly about the importance of music education in children’s lives. Music brings people together, inspires communities, teaches us about our world, offers us a creative outlet, gives voice to the voiceless, and creates powerful change.
Music can help us heal.
When we gathered our choristers together this week to talk about the loss, something happened that I’ll never forget.
We shared stories. We cried together.
And at the end of rehearsal, we sang a song you might have heard before if you’ve attended a Wilmington Children’s Chorus concert. “Walk Together, Children” is our traditional closing tune. It’s such a staple here that we sometimes make a joke out of it.
“Walk together, children!” I’ll shout to the oldest kids as they walk to their cars after rehearsal.
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Thousands of children have sung this song with us over the years. As an alumnus myself, I can’t count the number of times I’ve sung it.
The words have new meaning for us now. “Walk together, children. Don’t you get weary. There’s a great camp meeting in the promised land.”
Music changed Brison’s life. It changed my own life.
We knew and loved Brison because of music. And music will help us heal as we navigate this loss.
In loving memory of Brison Hunter Chamberlain (2004-2022).
Lianna Magerr is the executive director of the Wilmington Children’s Chorus.
Visit wilmingtonchildrenschorus.org/ to see a schedule of holiday performances.
