The RHS bands, choirs and orchestral groups combined their musical talents for a “mega” Winter Concert in the high school auditorium on Wednesday, Dec. 3.

Showcasing the talents of musicians across a dozen ensembles, the concert highlighted the depth and skill of the school’s music department. A blend of slow ballads and upbeat, celebratory pieces created an air of excitement and anticipation throughout the evening.

This is the third year the RHS music department has staged the popuar event. The concert drew enthusiastic support from staff, students and the audience, with generous applause filling the room after each performance.

“The holiday concert is the first concert of the school year, and that makes it especially exciting,” said Michael Lichtenfeld, symphonic band director. “It represents the culmination of months of preparation and growth from our students. Seeing them take the stage and share their music with the community is incredibly rewarding.”

“It’s amazing that we are able to feature so many ensembles in one concert, so that every student in the department is there to support each other and their community,” orchestra director Aoma Caldwell said. “We have really enjoyed our repertoire this season, and we’re sad to say goodbye to it. But I hope students will remember this music, and that it can carry them back to this time in their lives whenever they welcome the nostalgia.” 

“All the groups performed very well,” choir director Matthew Swiss said. “The audience enjoyed the evening, and fitting 100 minutes of music from 11 ensembles into a 136-minute concert is impressive.”

In all, a dozen RHS bands, choirs and orchestral groups performed beautifully, earning enthusiastic applause. To close the night, Symphonic Choir joined the ensembles onstage for a rousing finale of “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” once again sharing the joy of music and spreading holiday cheer to all in attendance.

Concert Highlights (Partial Playlist)

• A Capella Choir: “Carol of the Bells,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Hanukkah”
• Symphonic Band: “Ukrainian Bell Carol,” “Air for Band,” “Hanukkah Highlights”
• Treble Choir: “Winter, Fire and Snow,” (based on a Shel Silverstein poem), “Veni, Veni Emmanuel”
• String Orchestra: “Hanerot Halalu,” “Monster Mambo,” “A New World Symphony” (themes)
• Chamber Choir: “Hanukkah Lights,” “Stille Nacht (Silent Night),” “Deck the Halls”
• Wind Ensemble: “The Little Drummer Boy’s Bolero,” “Russian Christmas Music”
• Concert Choir: “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire),” “Mi Y’Mallel
• Arretta: “Funeral March of Marionette,” “Nessun Dorma”
• Symphonic Choir: “Sanctus” from “Requiem,” “Temporal” (traditional Puerto Rican song)
• Chamber Strings: “Waltz from Sleeping Beauty,” “Of Glorious Plumage”
• Symphonic Orchestra: “Tank!” “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” (themes)