Gene Nery performs "Above the Northern Lights," written by Ed Wilson, with the Orcas Choral Society, December 2009.

For those who missed Gene Nery’s performance of “Above the Northern Lights” at the 2009 Holiday Concerts of the Orcas Choral Society, there is now the opportunity to see Nery perform with the choir on YouTube.

Mannheim Steamroller recorded the music, written by Chip Davis, founder of the group, on two of their CDs, “A Christmas Angel,” and “Christmas Song.”  The lyrics were written by Orcas Island’s own Ed Wilson.  The vocal solo on the “Christmas Song” recording was done by another Orcas Islander, Gene Nery.

Wilson asked Nery to tape a “demo” of the song for the American group that has made a name for its Christmas “albums” for over 25 years. Mannheim Steamroller was so pleased with Nery’s rendition of Wilson’s song, that they included it on their CD.

The Orcas Island performance was the first time this song was performed as a choral ensemble with the choral part arranged by soloist Gene Nery.
To view the performance, go to
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