On December 17 at 7 p.m. in the NVD Auditorium, Northern Valley Demarest will hold its annual Winter Concert, where the school’s vocal and instrumental groups come together for an evening of festive music and holiday classics. This year, the concert features performances from Concert Choir, Combined Choirs, Valkyrie Voices, Barbershop, Concert Band, Wind Symphony, Jazz Band, and Orchestra.
Choir director Meghan Magnus explained that the choral program was built around familiar holiday music presented with a fresh twist.
“We really focused on hearing classics in a new way with a new twist,” Magnus said. “They are pieces that are known and loved but give the audience a new listening experience.”
Band and orchestra director Danielle Wheeler shared a similar perspective, saying that the instrumental program was designed to capture the spirit of the season while showcasing diverse music styles.
“There’s an overall winter and holiday theme, so we try to hit a lot of marks on different styles of music…Audiences will hopefully feel both the chill and the joy of the season throughout the concert,” Wheeler said.
Wind Symphony member Taerim Kim said she hopes the performance leaves a positive impression on listeners.
“I hope the audience has fun recognizing tunes from Christmas Toons and The Nutcracker. And I hope the audience can get into the festive spirit through this concert for the upcoming holidays!” Kim said.
Magnus added that one choral piece in particular stands out as a highlight of the night.
“O Come All Ye Faithful, with all members of the choir, percussion, and our soloist and descant, will surely be a showstopper,” Magnus said.
Wheeler also pointed out a piece she is particularly excited to share with the audience.
“I think the piece I’m most excited for this year is The Nutcracker,” Wheeler said. “The orchestra and select members of the wind symphony will perform three movements, and another movement will be sung by the choir, so we’re featuring four movements from The Nutcracker throughout the concert.”
As a student performer, Kim is particularly excited to perform “Sleigh Ride,” a long-standing NVD tradition played at every winter concert that brings together all members of orchestra, wind symphony, and concert band.
“I am most excited to perform Sleigh Ride because it involves the combined orchestra,” Kim said. “I am also very excited and honored to play the clarinet solo in The Nutcracker.”
Kim added that preparing for the concert required overcoming several music challenges throughout the rehearsal process.
“The biggest musical challenge this season was practicing the technical fingers and also maintaining musicality,” Kim said. “I also put in a lot of effort to try to sound balanced with my peers.”
Wheeler agreed, saying that the concert reflects the practice and hard work students have put in throughout the season.
“As magical as they sound to the audience, the pieces are not easy for the students,” Wheeler said. “They put in a great deal of time both inside and outside of class, and that dedication is something the audience will really see on concert night.”
