Earlier this month, both the bands and the choir had their 91st annual winter concerts. Each were celebrations of the holiday season and wrapped up a good first semester of hard work for the groups.
The Symphonic and Concert bands performed in the FEMA Room at 3:00 pm on Sunday, December 9th. The Concert Band performed first, with a set that included Adeste Fideles, or O Come All Ye Faithful, and Meredith Wilson’s “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas.” Mr. Bills, in his first formal concert with the program, was very proud of his students. He spoke to the audience about the improvement they had made over the 6 or so weeks of rehearsal prior to the concert. Mr. Kramer also had high praise for the Symphonic Band and the entire department. He spoke about the work ethic and character of all of the students he teaches and the joy they bring to teaching. The Symphonic Band had a set that included a solo by senior Leah Morrison. The bands both ended the calendar year on a high note.
The choirs had their concert the following Tuesday at 7:30. The choir directors also had kind words for their group, Mrs. Bouska expressed her pride in the Mixed Chorus, who have half the rehearsal time of the other ensembles due to alternate practice schedule. Mr. Everist spoke in support of the participation the group sees. One third of the school’s population, roughly 300 students, are involved in the choir program. Within the program, the Mixed Chorus went first and had some choreography in their song Gaudeamus. The Varsity Choir was next, with several songs, including a lighthearted Various Themes On Fa-La-La, which took the traditional melody and swapped it out for a few other well known ones. The Concert Choir performed last, beginning with their traditional processional into an uninterrupted set of mixed festive and traditional pieces. All of the choirs joined together to sing Balia di Sehu, an uplifting harvest song from Aruba. Congratulations to the MCHS Choirs and Bands on a wonderful concert!