Night two of high school winter concerts from the WHSD Department of Music brought the high school orchestra, jazz band, and chamber choir to the stage Thursday night, along with a combined performance featuring the symphonic band and orchestra.
The orchestra opened the show with five selections of music. Under the direction of Mrs. Alicia Scaramuzzo, the orchestra performed "Christmas Couplet," "Fum Fum Fum," and "It's the Most Wonderful Time of Year" before debuting a few new electric instruments for their next piece. Accompanied by an electric violin and electric cello, as well as an electric bass, the orchestra performed Trans Siberian Orchestra's "Siberian Sleigh Ride" before closing out with "A Thousand Years."
The symphonic band joined the orchestra for a rendition of Georges Bizet's "Habanera" from the classic "Carmen."
The jazz band, under the direction of Mr. Robert Carr, took the stage next to perform six songs. They launched into a rendition of Earth, Wind, and Fire's hit "September" before turning to Adele's song "Hello," which featured a vocal performance by Livia Rocco and a trumpet solo by Liam Blaney.
Next up was "The Chicken," which featured a tenor saxophone solo by Isaac Lott, followed by "The Most Wonderful Time of Year." Livia Rocco returned for a vocal performance on "Santa Baby," which also featured a trumpet solo by Sonny Davis.
The jazz band wrapped up with a medley of holiday tunes in "Big Band Holiday," which featured solos by Dre'Vaughn Sanders on the alto saxophone and Fletcher Briggs on the trombone.
The chamber choir finished the evening with six songs under the direction of Mrs. Scaramuzzo, with "Jingle Bell Rock" and "The First Noel" opening their performance. The latter song featured an interpolation of "Pachabel's Canon" along with a violin solo by Thomas Ketcham. The choir launched into a playful rendition of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and "Hodie" before helping the audience find their festive spirit with "Gettin' in the Mood (for Christmas)."
The choir wrapped the evening with the traditional performance of "Silent Night," in which chamber choir alumni were invited to perform with the current students.
Thank you to everyone who was in attendance to support our students this evening and throughout the department's holiday concert season.
The chamber choir and jazz band will be making a special appearance at the Pittsburgh Zoo's Wild Illuminations: Home for the Holidays on Wednesday, December 18.
That night is also the final performance of the holiday concert season, as the eighth grade orchestra, choir, and concert band will perform at Dickson.