To help spread good cheer as we headed into the winter break, Kindergarten through Class 12 students took to the stage in the Assembly Room for their annual winter concerts.
Lower School students kicked off the festivities with Kindergarten and Class 1 performing on Wednesday, December 20 and Classes 2 and 3 on Thursday, December 21. The girls sang winter favorites like “3 O’clock Rehearsal” and “Hot Chocolate,” as well as holiday tunes like “Hanukkah, oh, Hanukkah,” “Carol of the Bells” and “Happy Kwanzaa.” Each group also sang cheerful and vibrant renditions of “This Little Light of Mine” and “Jingle Bells,” asking parents to join them for the latter.
On Thursday evening, Upper School students staged a dazzling production with a mesmerizing array of music. Members of the US Choral Club, for example, performed songs like “Winter Wonderland,” “Ose Shalom,” “Hanukkah Tonight,” “Christmas Tree Farm,” and “Silent Night.” The parents and guests in attendance also enjoyed hearing pieces by Alleppaca, our a cappella group, a West Side Story strings medley by the US Instrumental Chamber Ensemble, handbells and upbeat performances by the US rock band The Kilts.
Rounding out our divisional concerts were Middle School students, with shows at 9:00 a.m. (Classes 6 and 7) and 11:00 a.m. (Classes 4 and 5) on Friday. In addition to a captivating selection of songs, Class 4 performed a lovely lyrical dance to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and Class 5 debuted tap and jazz dances to “White Christmas” and “Merry Christmas Polka,” respectively.
The Class 6 and 7 show featured dances to “Umbombela” by Soweto Gospel Choir and “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen (arrangement by Pentatonix), as well as handbells and the singing of Chinese folk songs.
Students in every division sang “One Night When Stars Were Shining,” a treasured tune that has been sung by Chapin students for over a century.
We extend a huge thank you to our divisional music teachers and conductors – Hallie Stotler (LS), Patricia Norchi (MS), and Elizabeth Adler (US) – as well as US teacher and Technical Director Robert Thaxton-Stevenson and piano accompanist Walter Aparicio. A heartfelt thanks, too, to the many Professional Community members working behind the scenes to help our students share their artistic talents!
*Upper School photographs taken by Chapin staff and photographer Michael Sherman.
