News
Oakcrest Prepares for Christmas with Annual Concert
The sound of carols filled the air at Oakcrest’s Annual Christmas Concert on Friday, December 13. The Christmas Instrumental Concert and Choral Concert provide a chance for the school’s music department to highlight the hard work of its many talented musicians.
The evening began with the Instrumental Concert, conducted by Instrumental Music Director Alix Baldwin. The 6th Grade Instrumental group performed several pieces, joined by guest musicians from Upper School. Then the Middle School Chamber Ensemble played traditional melodies such as “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” by Tchaikovsky, and newer ones such as the “Sweet Petite Winter Suite” by Brian Balmages. After the Middle School performances Oakcrest’s Traditional Ensemble—featuring harp, guitar, concertina, and flute—took the stage. The Upper School Chamber Orchestra treated audiences to many classics, including “Winter” from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and “The Blue Danube Waltz” by Johan Strauss.
Following a reception, the Choral Concert began. Oakcrest has a 6th Grade Choir, a 7th and 8th Grade Choir, and a Concert Chorus. The event started with a performance of “Oh Magnum Mysterium” and “Laudate Dominum” by the combined choirs, with senior Hannah Carter as vocal soloist and Mackenzie Masiello on cello and Hope Partrick on flute. Each individual choir then performed a variety of beautiful Christmas songs, including “A Ceremony of Carols,” “Angel’s Carol,” and “Carol of the Bells.” The evening concluded with an audience sing-along of “Angels We Have Heard on High.”
Music is an essential part of the Oakcrest education. All Middle School students take music study, and Upper School students take Music and Arts Appreciation in their sophomore year. They may elect to continue their music study by taking other elective offerings throughout their Upper School years. This semester, Oakcrest’s Concert Chorus was selected to help launch a new project through Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, with the goal of promoting our rich cultural heritage of American folk music among young people. The Chorus recorded a music video with the Smithsonian.
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