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The Malden High School Choral Arts Society annually host the Winter Concert, around the holidays. The Choral Arts Society consists of Mixed Chorus, Concert Choir, and Madrigals. This year the concert took place on Thursday, Dec. 18th, in the Jenkins Auditorium.
Directing the MHS band was new teacher Erin O’Brien-Mazza. Outstanding performances at the beginning of the show consisted of Halo Theme by Marty O’Donnel, and Michael Salvatori, and Russian Christmas Music by Alfred Reed. Highlights from the very famous Disney Movie “Frozen” included a mixture of songs such as “Do you want to build a snowman?,” and the infamous “Let It Go.” The Malden High School Concert Band ended their night by performing A Canadian Brass Christmas Suite, composed by Calvin Custer. Being part of the band is “like being on a team” explained O’Brien-Mazza. “You train hard and then you get to see the final outcome, and how good it can be. It is really rewarding.”
Concert Choir started their performance off by singing the traditional Silent Night. Japanese Snow Song (Yuki) was then performed by Mixed Chorus, as well as Homeward Bound by Marta Keen, that included solos by Freshman Esther Gilet and Junior Brianna Romero. Traditionally, Mixed Chorus perform Light The Candles (for eight nights) by Sally K. Albrecht, then it is followed by the spanish song Nanita Lullaby. Sophomore Reanna Pinheiro stated that the choir prepared by “memorizing lyrics for each song we sung” as well as putting emotion into it.
A combination of 17 Juniors and Seniors compose the Madrigal Section. These singers travel all around the cities singing, including their latest appearance at the State House in Boston on Thursday, December 11th. Their performances varied from time period of compositions to even the language. Starting off with something more modern, Madrigal Singers performed Gone, Gone, Gone by Phillip Phillips. The very famous Java Jive was a success for the singers; and to top it off, Il est ne le divin enfant was performed right after. To end their show time, Madrigal Singers performed two holiday songs, Fum, Fum, Fum and Carol of the Bells. “Being part of this choir is an honor,” states Senior Nick Hames. “we get invited to places. [He has] met a good amount of very nice and amazing people in this group. Everyone is very social and friendly and it’s an easy place where you can just be yourself.”
The ending of the show was performed by the Concert Choir. Junior Sarah Vieira was one of the soloists for the performance of It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, as well as Seniors Dylan Hamilton and Abigaelle Leblanc; and the performance of Al Shlosha D’Varim contained Junior Joylyn Norris as a soloist. Concert Choir also sang Ain’t a that Good News by William Dawson, and the famous William Shakespeare sonnet Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind. Many songs from famous holiday movies were included, such as Believe from The Polar Express, and We Need a Little Christmas from Mame. Senior Michelle Foley says the Choir practiced since “the first day of school and ever since,” to prepare for the concert that “has been the best one [they] have done.”
Concert Choir finished the night by performing O, Holy Night, with solos from Seniors Michelle Foley and Omar Ortiz. “ O, Holy Night is a classic that everybody knows, and at the end, the choir alumni come up and sign it with the current choir every year.” explains Hames. Not only was the complete choir there to close the show, but Cole also introduced to the audience his past alumni and invited them on stage. The alumni as well as the Chorus ended the show by singing altogether. Singing with the alumni is what makes O, Holy Night Foley’s favorite song, since sophomore year. “Seeing all the old students [she] sang with before” makes the song so special, and “ singing with the alumni is so great.” states Folley.
A notorious night not only for the choir, but for the high school as well. The concert portrayed the amount of talent the school has, and the potential the students have a hold of. The high school hosts this event every year with great pride, bringing joy to families and friends who comer and support.
