Underneath the Tree

St. Petersburg, FL – December 6, 2024 — With uncontainable energy and sparkling joy, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay lit up the stage with their vibrant performance of “Underneath the Tree”, the modern holiday hit by Kelly Clarkson and Greg Kurstin, arranged for chorus by Mac Huff. The number was a high-voltage highlight of their annual “Slay Bells” concert at Allendale United Methodist Church, proving once again that festive flair and pop polish are well within the chorus’s wheelhouse.

From the first brassy chord, the audience knew they were in for a treat. Mac Huff’s arrangement transformed the upbeat solo-driven original into a rich, harmony-filled ensemble showpiece, filled with syncopated rhythms, bright choral textures, and dazzling dynamics. The chorus delivered with precision and panache, each voice contributing to a sound that was as tight as it was joyful.

The group’s enthusiasm was palpable. With smiles as bright as holiday lights and choreography that matched the song’s infectious beat, the chorus brought a sense of celebration to the stage that felt both polished and authentic. Their crisp diction and clean articulation allowed every word of Clarkson’s festive lyrics to land clearly, while the rhythmic vitality of the arrangement kept the performance moving with electric momentum.

This number showcased not just the ensemble’s musicality, but their ability to connect with an audience. As they sang of love and gratitude during the holidays—“You’re all I need underneath the tree”—the performance became a shared moment of communal joy, bridging the gap between pop music and choral artistry. The audience responded with tapping toes, clapping hands, and wide grins, swept up in the sheer exuberance of the piece.

Visually, the chorus brought holiday cheer to life with spirited movement and sleek staging that played off the song’s retro-pop energy. The result was a performance that would have been just as comfortable in a holiday TV special as it was in the intimate setting of Allendale’s sanctuary.

“Underneath the Tree” was a perfect fit for “Slay Bells”—a concert that celebrates the many moods of the season, from reverent to ridiculous, sacred to sparkling. With this performance, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay delivered a joyful reminder of what choral music can be when it embraces the now: current, playful, and filled with heart.

By the final beat, the applause was thunderous—an audience fully energized by a song that, while new to the holiday canon, felt instantly classic in the hands of this talented and spirited ensemble.