On Monday night, a remarkable event took place at the North Lake Presbyterian Church. The music of Christmas past intertwined with the reality of Christmas present, creating a truly unique experience. The air was filled with the sound of Christmas, but there was also a shadow of cancer present. Bill Davis, the director of the Villages Pops Chorus, had been diagnosed earlier this year. However, his faith, dedication, and love for music and family were on full display during the Pops Chorus Christmas Concert.

Legacy Beyond Music

After a decade of remarkable financial and artistic success leading the Chorus, Bill and Sue Davis are leaving The Villages this month. They will be moving to Charlotte, North Carolina, to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Their impact goes far beyond music. Through concerts, Bill and Sue Davis, along with the Chorus, have raised over $300,000 for local charities. The two Christmas concerts on Monday drew over 1,500 people and sold out in just six days. Davis was both happy with the numbers and deeply moved by his farewell performance."It's a very emotional night," he said before the concert. "I'm feeling everything tonight. It's hard to leave, but I'm recognizing that it's a new beginning."During the 90-minute concert, there were some tears. Davis wiped a tear away after the Chorus performed one of his favorite songs, the Carpenters' "Merry Christmas Darling.""It's a special song among all the ones we do tonight," he said.He was also visibly moved after performing two songs with the Pops Chorus Folk Quartet. Sue Davis introduced them as "folkies" and said, "For the last time, here is the Pops Chorus Folk Quartet." Bill, along with Jack Strite, Woody High, and Bill McGaughey, offered a tender "Mary's Little Boy Child." Then they led the packed crowd in a spiritual sing-along on "Silent Night.""Thank you Jack, Woody, and Bill for so many happy memories," Davis told his fellow folk singers.Jo Ann Hanebrink, who leads the Pops Chorus Band and has been with Davis since the beginning, showed her keyboard mastery on "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year."Jan Lavin had some fun singing "The Man With the Bag." Harmonica maestro Phil Caltabellotta was in vintage form on "The Christmas Song." Bonnie Williams displayed joy in "Christmas Eve In My Home Town." Sue Schuler and Paul Carmignani cooed to each other on a flirty "Baby It’s Cold Outside." And George Wood took the audience on a trip to "Winter Wonderland."This night was not just about music. Bill and Sue Davis performed with the Chorus for the first time in the Villages in front of their children and grandchildren."It's so special and we're so excited to be here tonight," said his son Eric. "It's the first time we've seen him with the Chorus that has meant so much to him."His son understands the significance of the Villages and the Chorus for his father. "He loves it here and he loves the Chorus. To be able to see him with the Chorus is a nice way to wrap up the holidays."Eric and his wife Angela brought their two young children, Nina and Jasper, who enjoyed watching Grandpa and Grandma perform."We've heard so much about the Chorus and to be here makes it real," said Davis' daughter Karen Weeks. She came with her husband Braden."My parents have loved the Villages ever since they came here," Karen said. They also found a way to help others by raising over $300,000 for charity."They came here for a new life and they found unexpected purpose in helping so many people," Eric said.Bill Davis was surprised at the fundraising success. "We never planned it; it just happened. We thought we could get about 30 people in the Chorus and put on a few shows."It got so much bigger than that. And the best part is that we found a way to reach and help so many families and children."Music has been the center of Bill Davis' life in the Villages since he came here in 2012. He played in the rock band, 3 for the Road, and was also active with the Villages Musical Theater.Under Davis' direction, the Pops Chorus brought the holiday music to life. They brought a serene calm to "The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth" and made "White Christmas" feel warm and cozy again.They closed the concert with a stirring "Let There Be Peace on Earth," and the audience stood and clapped and cheered with approval.After the song ended, Bill and Sue Davis came to the center stage. Through some tears and smiles, they waved goodbye to the Chorus audience for the last time."Bill and I will always have special memories of our time with you," Sue Davis told the crowd. She and her husband embraced at the center stage."We knew how much they were loved," Karen Weeks said. "But to see it in person is just so special." She paused for a moment and then added, "especially at Christmas."Tony Violanti writes about music and entertainment for Villages-News.com. He was inducted into The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame as a music journalist.