In a world where many are predisposed to profit and cashing in on Christmas, the legacy of a local woman who quietly went about giving regular gifts of free sacred music to Utahns will be celebrated today for the last time.
The Eleanor Kennard Chorale, a mainstay on local concert calendars for the past 20 years, will perform one last memorial Christmas concert at 8:30 p.m. in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square in honor of the woman who founded the group and served as its director.
Kennard died Sept. 7 at age 63 from the effects of inflammatory breast cancer.
"For the past two years, she continued with her chorale, even when she was so sick with chemotherapy and radiation that she couldn't stand," according to a letter by Kennard's husband, Jim, to Deseret Morning News columnist Jerry Johnston. "And the chorale responded with increased love and commitment — producing the best concerts we've ever done in 20 years."
"Eleanor had scheduled the concert and programmed the music, and one of her last requests was that the chorale stay together to sing for her favorite time of year," Kennard wrote, adding that he will direct the chorale in its final performance. "I expect the large majority of the audience will be people who knew Eleanor, so hopefully the references to her won't be considered inappropriate or in bad taste."
Specializing in sacred music, spirituals, folk songs and popular music, the chorale was formed after Kennard earned a master's degree in choral conducting from the University of Utah while raising five daughters. Members are amateur musicians who adhere to a regular rehearsal schedule and sing without compensation. Those who frequent Temple Square for its musical events know the group was a mainstay performer in the Assembly Hall for more than a decade.
Vacancies over the years have been filled via audition, and locals who are familiar with the group's music often speak in glowing terms.
A reviewer for the Deseret News lauded the group for its 1994 Christmas concert, which was narrated by J. Spencer Kinard, former voice of the "Music and the Spoken Word."
At the conclusion of the performance, "after the bows had been taken, three-fourths of the audience didn't want to leave, and the concert continued with encores of an a cappella 'Jingle Bells' and a reprise of 'Caroling, Caroling.' The chorale exited down the aisles singing, and Kinard wished everyone a good evening, or the concert might have continued on all night."
If the hall is filled Saturday with Kennard's acquaintances, as her husband predicts, getting a seat may be difficult unless patrons arrive early.
After 20 years of providing free music, Eleanor Kennard likely has a good many friends.
E-mail: carrie@desnews.com