On December 16th, the Stanley-Boyd Middle and High School Choir and Band came together for a delightful holiday concert as friends and family filled the school auditorium with holiday. The evening was a true celebration of the season, showcasing the hard work and dedication of the students under the guidance of their music directors, Devon Wenndt, Director of Bands and Louella Derrico, Director of Choirs. The talented Dr. Frank Watkins, Director of Choral Activities at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, was the guest accompanist for the evening.
The concert began with impressive performances from both the middle and high school bands, who played a variety of holiday classics and modern songs. Each band member gave their best and set the tone for the evening as the middle school band performed ‘Christmas Light Fanfare,’ ‘O Come, O Come Emmanuel,’ and the lively ‘Yankee Doodle Christmas.’ The performances of the high school band included the annually performed ‘Farandole,’ ‘Christmas Groove,’ and ‘Stille Nacht’ as recorded by Mannheim Steamroller.
As each choir took the stage, students from both the Middle and High School Choirs delivered spirited renditions of holiday favorites. A crowd favorite performed by the Middle School Choir was ‘Christmas… in about 3 minutes’ that featured over twenty Christmas carols. The High School Choir performed ‘Carol of the Bells,’ ‘When Angels Sing,’ and ‘Believe.’
A highlight of the evening came near the end of the concert when the two choirs combined to perform ‘Thank you’ as performed by Pentatonix and featured vocal solos by Sydney Gundlach and Kira Lato. But the grand finale of the evening was the cherished tradition of the candlelight performance of “Silent Night,” a moment that brought the audience to hushed reverence and appreciation as the soft glow of the candles illuminated the performers.
The Middle and High School Christmas concert was a testament to the talent, hard work, and passion of the students involved, as well as the dedicated efforts of their music directors, who ensured that this concert was a resounding success. Top of FormBottom of Form The Stanley-Boyd Middle and High School Choir and Band concert was a perfect way to celebrate the holiday season, showcasing the students’ musical talent and the tradition that makes the Stanley-Boyd community so special.