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LEWISTON — In addition to meeting your Catholic Christmas duty, or because it’s just the right thing to do, here’s another reason to attend the 10:30 a.m. Christmas Day service at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

Genevieve Vaillancourt, 10, who plays the viola, is making her Christmas Mass musical debut with her sister, mother and father. She got her first viola for Christmas when she was 5.

The Lewiston family performed Wednesday at the Oasis of Music at Trinity Episcopal Church. They played “Jingle Bells” on strings, among other Christmas classics including “Silent Night,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem and “Joy to the World.”

Father Scott Vaillancourt played the piano. He’s the musical director for the basilica and the Prince of Peace Parish, a full-time gig that includes the duties of master choir director and organist.

Wife Linda Vaillancourt plays the flute and violin, among other instruments. She’s a music teacher at North Yarmouth Academy. In her spare time she’s a violist for the Bangor Symphony and Maine Music Society.

Madeleine Vaillancourt, 13, plays the cello. She performed a solo of “The Swan,” a moving piece.

The youngest sibling is James, 7. He already reads music and is learning to play the violin. He won’t be part of Monday’s performance; give him a few years.

Scott said their three children have always been exposed to music because both parents are musicians. “They have an aptitude for it,” he said. Scott grew up with music. His grandfather was a fiddler.

The family wouldn’t dream of a Christmas or Christmas Mass without music. Music is essential to the holiday, Scott said. Music helps get people through the darkness of winter.

“That’s why we need a holiday right around now,” he said.

Christmas is a good time for traditional music, he said. People seem to gravitate toward music that brings back memories.

“It puts them in a particular frame of mind,” he said. “It moves them out of the ordinary humdrum of snow shoveling, slipping on the ice. It changes your point of reference to something happier, cheerier.”

Madeline started playing the cello at age 5.

“To me, music makes me feel like I’m part of something big,” she said. “It also connects me with everyone else in my family. We can play together. It’s very nice.”

Christmas is a busy time for any family, and especially for the Vaillancourts.

Scott plays at the 4 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve, which is always packed, and the midnight Mass, plus the service on Christmas morning. After the midnight Mass, he arrives home around 1:30 or 2 a.m. when there are “secret” preparations to attend to. 

James wakes up around 4 a.m., wandering into his sisters’ rooms, dancing around, wondering if Santa has come and when they can get up. They can’t go down to the tree until around 7 a.m. Once they have opened their presents, the family needs to get to the church well ahead of the service.

After interviewing them Wednesday, they were asked if there was anything they’d like to add.

James leaned forward and whispered, “I think we’re good.”

bwashuk@sunjournal.com

Scott and Linda Vaillancourt, with their children, 10-year-old Genevieve, left, James, 7, and Madeleine, 13. (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)

Scott and Linda Vaillancourt perform during the Oasis of Music at Trinity Episcopal Church in Lewiston with their children, 10-year-old Genevieve, second from right, and Madeleine, 13. (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)

Madeleine Vaillancourt, 13, smiles at her mother, Linda, following a song played at the Oasis of Music at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Lewiston. Scott Vaillancourt and Genevieve, 10, are at left. (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)

Genevieve Vaillancourt, 10, gives her father, Scott, a hug as he gets his music in order prior to their family performance at the Oasis of Music at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Lewiston. (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)