On the evening of Thursday, December 12, our school’s mixed choir and concert band held their second concert of the year! This concert was held live virtually on Facebook, where students, teachers, friends, and family were able to tune in and comment on the performances. 

Since October, students in the music program have been learning and recording their parts to several different pieces, which were later mixed together by Mr. Judd, the band and choir director. The concert also featured two soloists, alto singer Scarlett Kleinfeld, and string bass player Victoria Pollak. 

The mixed choir opened the concert with “Holiday Tango” by Greg Gilpin. The choir then performed “Stars I Shall Find” by Victor C. Johnson and soloist Scarlett Kleinfeld sang “O Holy Night” by Adolphe Adam. Lastly, the choir sang “Grinch!” arranged by Andy Beck, a piece that included music from the film How the Grinch Stole Christmas. 

After the choir’s performances, the concert band played the piece “Christmas at the Circus” by Randall Standridge. The second soloist of the concert, Victoria Pollak, then played “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” by Felix Mendelssohn on string bass. Afterward, the concert band performed “Under an Irish Sky” by Larry Neeck, a piece that includes the tunes of “Slane” and “Brian Boru’s March.” The concert band then closed the concert with “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson, arranged by Michael Story. 

Overall, the band and choir’s winter concert was a success. Each piece sounded wonderful, and they really brought out the holiday spirit. Both soloists’ performances were spectacular and very enjoyable! As a clarinet player and member of the concert band, it was interesting hearing the final results of the recordings we’ve all worked on for the past few months. Typically, when participating in band in person, we are able to hear the sounds of the other instruments live as we play. Online, it’s different. When recording our playing, it’s just us as individuals playing at that moment. But despite having to participate in our music program online, the concert went well in the end.