Miss You Most at Christmas Time
St. Petersburg, FL – December 6, 2024 — In an unforgettable moment of vulnerability and vocal beauty, Will Hession joined the Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay’s ensemble, the “Rainbros,” for a deeply emotional performance of “Miss You Most at Christmas Time”, the Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff holiday ballad arranged for vocal ensemble by David Maddux. The performance, part of the chorus’s “Slay Bells” concert at Allendale United Methodist Church, brought the audience to a poignant stillness amid an otherwise joy-filled evening.
With his rich, expressive tone and natural stage presence, Hession took on the solo lines with heartfelt sincerity, his voice aching with the quiet sorrow and yearning at the heart of the song. From the first lines, “The fire is burning, the room’s all aglow,” his delivery was intimate and nuanced, never overdone—allowing the lyrics’ emotional weight to carry through unfiltered.
Behind him, the Rainbros provided a luminous, supportive foundation. Known for their finely tuned blend and emotional sensitivity, the ensemble added warmth and depth to the performance. David Maddux’s arrangement—subtle, elegant, and perfectly tailored for a vocal group—allowed the harmonies to breathe and swell in all the right places, building from tender simplicity to a soaring, bittersweet climax.
The combination of Hession’s solo vocals with the Rainbros’ cohesive ensemble sound created a performance that felt like a conversation between memory and presence, loss and love. While the piece is a modern pop ballad, the treatment given by the singers elevated it into a quiet prayer—a recognition of those who are missing during the holidays and the ache that lingers even in the midst of lights and laughter.
The sanctuary, filled moments earlier with laughter from the concert’s campy numbers and choral showstoppers, became hushed as Hession and the Rainbros wove their story. The emotional impact was visible across the audience—heads bowed, eyes misted, hearts held gently in the shared silence that followed the final note.
As the applause rose—slow at first, then swelling—it was clear the audience had received something more than just a performance. Hession and the Rainbros had given them a gift: a space for memory, emotion, and healing within a season that too often glosses over grief.
In a concert designed to celebrate all the textures of the holiday experience, “Miss You Most at Christmas Time” stood out as one of the evening’s most affecting and artistically refined moments. With Will Hession’s vulnerable solo and the Rainbros’ masterful support, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay once again reminded their audience that music can do more than entertain—it can comfort, connect, and heal.