On Dec. 9 and Dec. 10, the LHS Choirs performed for their annual Holiday Concert in Butler Lake Auditorium. After over two months of preparation, all singers took the stage and captivated the audience with their seasonal tunes with their festive Santa hats and celebratory sweaters.
“We started practicing right after our fall concert on October 5, so we’ve been preparing for about two months,” senior Katie Baker, Choir Board President, said.” It’s kind of crazy singing Christmas music in October, but we put a lot of work in.”
The concert began with a processional from the Holiday Festive Choir, which comprises all the chorus members from freshmen to seniors. Holding up candles in the pitch black darkness, they illuminated the auditorium with not only the light but also their voice, by singing “Sing With Joy – Sing Noel.”
“My favorite part was probably when we walked in for the song, because it’s really fun with the candles,” sophomore Marla Martin said.
Following the Holiday Festival Choir the Chorale, made up of freshmen, sang classics like “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” as well as more comedic pieces, such as “Dominick the Donkey.” Experiencing the celebratory environment of the Holiday Concert for the first time, these students could be seen singing, dancing and enjoying themselves on stage. With an emphasis on enjoying the experience, the program has created a community that singers feel comfortable in.
“Choir is just such a fun, enjoyable environment,” freshman Arthur Haas said. “Everyone’s so supportive that being here honestly makes my day.”
The next curricular choir to take the stage was Concert Chorale, made up of primarily sophomores. Sticking to the theme of tradition, they sang crowd-favorites, such as “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” Providing a more diverse holiday experience, this chorus helped the audience celebrate through spreading Hawaiian culture in their song “Mele Kalikimaka.”
Similarly, Bel Canto, made up of female voices of the junior class, paid homage to various pop idols; they sang Taylor Swift’s “Christmas Tree Farm,” featuring soloist junior Grace Ramaker and Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath the Tree.” The group also featured a coordinated dance alongside one of their songs — creating an increasingly entertaining evening for the audience.
Throughout the performance, several extracurricular choir ensembles, like the Cleftomanicas, Acabellas and Mastersingers, also performed throughout. With light-hearted tunes, like the Jonas Brother’s “Like It’s Christmas” and “Linus and Lucy” from the Peanuts franchise, these performances were met with various standing ovations. They meet after school throughout various days of the week to share their love for singing.
“I like singing with Cleftos because it’s just such a fun space and more relaxed than school choir,” senior Nick Taylor said.
Providing a strong performance, the members of Concert Choir, a group of junior boys and senior girls, sang their hearts out. This ensemble featured soloists seniors Wisam Shaaya and Alice Krietsch on a gentle song, “The First Noel,” written by Darmon Meader. This group ended their leg of the performance with the high-energy song “Run Rudolph Run,” featuring senior John Zidek running through the aisles, dressed in a reindeer onesie with a red, glowing nose.
“I had so much fun. It was really bittersweet since it was my last Christmas concert, but I enjoyed every minute of it,” Baker said.
Throughout this performance, it was clear that these students love their program. From freshman to seniors, each member was not only singing — but dancing and clapping along as well.
“I love the community and how you get to experience so many different languages, melodies, and harmonies,” senior Eva Thomas, a two time All State choir qualifier, said. “You’re doing it with people who love the same thing you do, and being surrounded by all these overlapping sounds is just really fun.”
To close out the concert, the Holiday Festival choir returned for the traditional recessional of the night. The singers brought out their candles from the beginning of the night, and like every year, they ended the night with the songs “Silent Night” and “Blessing.”
The LHS choir will return to the stage on Feb. 25 for their annual Choir Cabaret concert.
