By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The musical production made up for its non-existent budget with its big heart.
The call had been put out for a choir to provide backup for the “Brian Sings Christmas – Part Two” project to provide a happy holiday to less fortunate local children.
The singers started trickling into the Wood County Courthouse Atrium shortly before 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. There were a couple highway patrol troopers, a handful of community members, and several county employees from the board of elections, prosecutor’s office, Job and Family Services – and anyone unlucky enough to walk by during the rehearsal who was shamed into participating.
“I thought it would be done by now,” one county employee said when she was called out as she tried to leave the courthouse. She sheepishly joined the carolers.
Troopers Logan Kirkendall and Garrett Lawson confessed to not having much singing experience.
“In the shower mostly,” Kirkdendall said.
“We’re here to have a good time and for a good cause,” Lawson said.
By the time rehearsal began there were 35 vocalists of varying degrees of talent, plus Norie the courthouse dog, who politely refrained from howling during the taping.
Some got decked out for the seasonal serenade. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jim Hoppenjans wore a Simpsons Christmas sweater and Prosecuting Attorney Paul Dobson donned his fireside chat cardigan despite the 90-plus degrees outside. Six-year-old Sway Dauterman wore candy cane striped dress and stockings, and a couple Santa hats adorned others.
Christmas cutout cookies and ice-cold hot chocolate were furnished to the volunteer singers.
Brian Boos and Chas McDonald, both assistant prosecuting attorneys with the Wood County Prosecutor’s Office, are making a comeback for the same cause they began in 2023 of helping children at the holidays. Only this time around they invited the community to join their voices to make “Brian Sings Christmas Part Two: Duets” bigger and better.
Auditions were not required. “You can’t be worse than Brian,” McDonald said.
McDonald recorded the volunteers singing “Joy to the World,” which will then be dubbed in with Boos’ already recorded portion and some grandiose instrumental fanfare.
Boos, wearing a green blazer and red Santa hat, tried to organize the singers, using a megaphone when necessary.
“We are in the key of E,” McDonald yelled to the singers. “We live in E.”
Boos tried to keep tempo with a director’s baton – but ended up looking like he was “swatting flies,” according to community crooner Raul Ascunce.
“Extra joy” was added with one singer’s tambourine.
The choir practiced two verses of “Joy to the World,” with the tempo and the key varying each time. As they neared “perfection,” McDonald’s ears perked up when he heard harmonizing taking place.
Jo Ascunce and Rose Drain, community members who wanted to be part of the project, acknowledged their vocal talents and quickly became fan favorites.
Within a half hour, the taping was complete.
“Now we just have to wait for the money to roll in,” Kirkendall said.
The song recorded on Tuesday will be just one part of the duets for “Brian Sings Christmas – Part Two.” Also recorded will be “The First Noel,” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” and an original song written by McDonald.
“It’s a great song. The only flaw is that I’m singing it,” Boos said.
And one song will feature children, with Boos’ voice being spliced in.
“Hopefully it leads to sales, and that leads to happy kids,” McDonald said.
The original “Brian Sings Christmas” recording in 2023 raised enough money to help four local families over the holidays. McDonald and Boos are hoping that with a series of duets – possibly drowning out Boos’ voice – that they will raise even more.
Like last time, 100% of the proceeds will go to presents and essentials for underprivileged Wood County families recommended by Wood County Jobs and Family Services.
Boos, the caroling phenom, was discovered several Christmas seasons ago during his relentless singing of holiday songs in the Wood County Prosecutor’s Office. Boos reportedly made up for his lack of singing abilities with his vast enthusiasm.
Though a big sap for Christmas carols, Boos declined the opportunity to go public until late in 2023, when McDonald suggested they use the recording to raise money for local kids in need.
“I couldn’t get Brian to sing until I added the charity component,” McDonald said.
The result was a recording called “Brian Sings Christmas.” The pair recorded five Christmas carols using McDonald’s home studio equipment. While Boos was a novice, McDonald is a trained keyboard musician, starting piano lessons in first grade.
Boos confided, “If you ignore the singing, the music is actually good.”
The thought behind having Boos team up for “duets” with others, is that more money will be generated for local families. At least those sharing the spotlight with Boos are likely to chip in for the cause.
This year the suggested donation is $7.50.
Donors can pay by Venmo (@briansingschristmas) or with cash or check in the prosecutor’s office. As in 2023, 100% of proceeds help local children. Donors will be emailed a link to the music once funds are received.
