Winter Concert Blends School Spirit with Holiday Sounds

Mr. Todd Hayen conducts the Wind Ensemble as they perform “African Bell Carol.” *Photo: Lily Deng*

By LILY DENG

The sound of joyful chatter from friends and family piped down in the auditorium as the stage lights glowed softly, signaling the December 10 start of the Winter Concert, an annual event that showcases the variety of musical talent the school has to offer.

Midwood Melodies, a newly formed vocal club, took the stage first with songs like “Believe It or Not” by Joey Scarbury, their harmonies mesmerizing the crowd.

“I am beyond proud of every single one of my singers,” said Carol Zhong ‘26. “They pulled things together beautifully, and they are truly some of the most talented people I’ve ever met.”

Next came the Symphonic Band, whose repertoire included iconic, upbeat songs that captured a wintery feeling.

“It was my first high school concert,” said trumpeter Kenzy Morsy ‘29. “I was really excited. I got to see my middle school teacher again, my family and my friends came to see me as well, and I got to enjoy a moment with my current classmates.”

Mrs. Hyun Joo Duffy, the Symphonic Band’s director, said, “I was very proud to see [the band] performing for us for the first time. While I was conducting, all I was thinking was, ‘Oh, they're sounding so great!’”

She gave a special shout out to the soloists. “It takes a lot of confidence and bravery to stand in front of your peers and families to play those solos,” she said.

The Jazz Club also made their first appearance, with a rendition of “Oye Como Va” by Tito Puente that added a groovy atmosphere to the auditorium.

“We have a lot of really good players who are actually passionate about jazz,” said pianist Daniel Kim ‘26. And as a voluntary club, “everyone who's there wants to be there instead of being forced into it” for class credit.

Jazz trumpeter Frances Folwell ‘28 said, “We were glad to get support from the rest of the school and see that everyone likes us.”

Next, the BK Steppers Drumline came to the spotlight with their rapid piece “Quest, Serious Punch, and Brooklyn Smash” by Michael Mendoza. Vinh Tan Nguyen ‘28, a video production member, said, “I felt like I was transcending, listening to the songs.”

For the finishing band, the Wind Ensemble came to the stage with “African Bell Carol,” an arrangement by Robert W. Smith that reimagines the classic “Ukrainian Bell Carol” but through the lens of West African traditions. Conductor Mr. Todd Hayen said, “I thought [the students] rose to the occasion and really pulled it together.”

The finale was “Beyond the Seven Hills” by Michael Sweeny, which evoked a musical journey with tempo shifts and received a powerful ovation from the audience with its grand ending.

James Madison student Julia Pinchuk '28 was amongst those in attendance. “I loved [the concert] so much,” she said. “I think it was very well performed, and everyone did a great job!”

As the final note was struck, waves of cheering erupted from the audience. “It was amazing,” said sophomore Elizabeth Petrusenkova. “I would have thought this was a professional band.”