After months of preparation and practice, the Edmond Memorial High School choirs performed in their annual winter choir concert on Dec. 5. This annual event is beloved by many and is known for incorporating several long-lasting traditions. However, this year, a fresh voice was added to the mix of the more well-known traditions with a few girls from Cimarron Middle School and Central Middle School, who were invited to perform alongside the EMHS treble choir.
The concert opened with a performance by the EMHS show choir, Act II. Although they only performed one song, “Sleigh Ride” is a tradition for Act II that was a great way to start the concert. As always, the group’s performance included cheerful singing and dancing, which brought the audience’s attention to the concert as it began.
The EMHS tenor-bass choir performed next, with a few songs that displayed its talents and Christmas spirit well. The tenor-bass choir is known especially for doing “fun” Christmas songs each year, which is a great way to gain the audience’s attention and admiration.
The treble choir sang several impressive songs, including the first, “Laus Deo,” for which seniors Ethan Confer and Cambryn Cowherd played multiple percussion instruments. The next song, “Angel’s Carol,” was conducted by Cowherd, a teacher’s aide for the treble choir.
Lastly, the treble choir performed a piece with the middle school girls with the violin part being played by senior Greyson Alexander. The song, “Carry the Light,” was performed very well, despite the age differences among the group, with a nice blend of voices from all of the singers.
The Advanced Mixed Chorus, a complex group of students who take part in the class by audition-only, was next on the list. The class contains students who have gone above and beyond in terms of the effort they put into choir, and their performance showcased the maturity and development of each chorus member’s musicianship and skill. The group sang several beautiful Christmas songs, a great way to close out the concert before the final tradition.
Following the Advanced Mixed Chorus, the treble and tenor-bass students filed back onto the stage to perform their final piece together, “Silent Night.” As a well-known tradition, “Silent Night” is an amazing way to end the concert before the audience leaves because it is a classic Christmas carol that most people know and love. The song was directed by choir teacher Wes Singleton.
It began with the students performing “Silent Night” and an accompanying piece, “Peace, Peace” with sign language. The audience was delighted by this, as there are often members of the audience who are deaf or hard of hearing, who could now appreciate the beauty of the choir. Singleton next had the choirs perform the song only with sign language, the auditorium was silent, but this is an amazing way to display what their music is really like for those who have hearing disabilities. Lastly, Singleton invited the audience to sing “Silent Night” all together with the choirs, which is a great way to bring everyone together amidst the holiday season.
The choir winter concert is a seasonal favorite for many who enjoy performances at EMHS, especially as the holiday traditions are a major staple in the concert. With this, the EMHS choir successfully spread Christmas cheer and joy to all who attended the winter concert.
Contact Esther Wood at [email protected]
