Words: Caleb McClatchey
Photos: Ellie Zoller-Gritz
The Centennial Music Department hosted the annual Winter Choral Concert Wednesday night, featuring performances from all of Centennial’s choral ensembles and clubs.
Concert Choir, the largest ensemble in the Centennial choral program, kicked off the evening with their rendition of Hlohonolofatsa, a South African greeting song. Rebecca Vanover, Director of Choirs, explained how her goal was to explore many different cultures in the music her ensembles performed.
While additional songs by Concert Choir, Bella Voce, and Chamber Choir provided more international flavor, the various ensembles helped put the audience in the holiday spirit as well. Vocal Jazz and Chamber Choir sang the traditional winter songs of The First Noel and Carol of the Bells, respectively. Chamber Choir also sang Serenissima una noche, a holiday song with an international twist.
In addition to Concert Choir, Bella Voce and Chamber Choir, Centennial’s choral clubs, C# Acapella and Vocal Jazz, also made appearances. C#, a student-led acapella group, performed 715 – Creeks. Vocal Jazz, a new group this year, sang The First Noel and They Say it’s Wonderful.
Following performances by all five groups, every singer packed on to the stage for one final song. Afterwards, Vanover thanked the audience for coming and praised her students for their success.
“They truly make me proud to do what I do,” she concluded.
The choral concert capped off a week of concerts for the Centennial music program. All choirs, bands, and orchestras will play again during the spring concerts beginning April 2nd.