Yesterday, sounds of festive joy could be heard from the theatre as the LHS instrumental groups took to the stage for their annual Winter/Holiday Concert. Directed by Mr. Don Emmons, the orchestra and bands have once again given a memorable performance filled with talent and cheer.
The concert opened with “Herald the Holidays”, played by the Symphonic Winds. The piece is a medley of holiday classics, with full crescendos and merry bells. They then moved from jingle bells to ancient Norway with their second song of the night, “Iron & Ice.” The piece featured dissonance, bold percussion, and even some stomping from the musicians. Everything came together to create the image of a Viking raid in an ice storm. When the song softened and quieted, it was like floating over a frozen fjord. The stark contrast between these two songs demonstrated a wide range of skill sets.
The next group that performed was the Jazz Combo, directed by Brian Luzietti. Starting off with something refreshing and different, “Freddie the Freeloader” was a smooth, standard-style piece. Several soloists including Eli Thompson on bass guitar and Mattie Jeffries on bass sax added interest and showcased the individual talents of the band. “Seven Mountains Mambo” was a fun, Latin jam that felt like the holidays in Cuba. Luzietti himself played the maraca, to shake things up a bit.
After the Combo, the LHS Orchestra performed the songs “March” from the Nutcracker and “Hungarian Dance no. 5”. The audience was transported to a holiday ballroom, waltzing and swaying to the classical tunes.
Continuing the waltz theme, the Jazz Ensemble played “Three for Bea” which was a flowing jazz waltz. The soloists were Avery Krenz on vibes, Vogt on piano, and Quinten Vick on trombone. Next was Jingle Bell Boogie, featuring Sydney Babcock on tenor saxophone. It was a groovy rendition of the classic holiday hit that made you want to get up and dance 1950s style.
After intermission, the Ensemble picked right back up with “The Reindeer Chicken.” Its strange name comes from “The Chicken”, a jazz standard. However, the real fun happened when they broke down into funky “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Every part of the band relied on each other and contributed.
Orchestra then performed Hanukkah Medley arranged by LHS student Daphne Vogt. It was a nod to the traditional Jewish holiday, and everyone remained in sync throughout the shifting between songs. Then came the iconic intro of a certain pop hit that defrosts every winter… that’s right, next was Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You”. The first violins sang out her whistle notes, with Carly Calhoun on the piano.
Going back in time to 1966, Symphonic Winds told the nostalgic tale of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”, in song form. Starting in whimsical Whoville, they shifted into the dark grinchy theme effortlessly.
Afterwards, the ensembles combined to deliver two final songs, “African Holy Night” and “Carol of the Bells.” Both put a unique spin on holiday favorites. They paired upbeat African drums with the soaring chorus of O Holy Night beautifully, and the audience could feel the music in their chests and souls. Finally, the concert came to a close with a version of “Carol of the Bells” that had more modern elements of rock ‘n roll. They play this song every year as a tradition.
In conclusion, the 2024 Winter/Holiday Instrumental Concert was a success, displaying the diversity of holiday and winter music. Never was there a boring moment, and it was the perfect parting gift to end the semester. See you next year, Lions!
