Varsity orchestra, band, choir and theater joined together for a night of Christmas music during the fine art’s annual Christmas concert themed: Holiday at the Movies on December 19, 2024. The show brings together students, families, and faculty for a night of festive music and community spirit.

Held in the freshly decorated auditorium, the event began with the VMHS band, who kicked off the evening with an energetic rendition of “Christmas Vacation” by Angelo Badalamenti. The bright brass and rhythmic percussion brought an immediate sense of holiday cheer.  Next, the band delivered an impressive performance of Danny Elmans’ “Nightmare Before Christmas” theme songs, which left the audience in awe of their precision and grace. Whilst the band was playing, there were performances given by theater students to lead the audience in the storytelling of each song.

However, it was the choral performance that seemed to steal the show. VMHS Varsity choir, under the direction of Mr. Stanley Moody, performed a selection of both classical and contemporary holiday pieces, including the popular “White Christmas,” “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and also joined the band with their cover of “Christmas Vacation.” The students’ solo harmonies resonated throughout the auditorium, leaving a lasting impression on the audience of how hard the students worked for this moment..

For junior Katelyn Frazier, who plays trumpet in the band, the concert was a culmination of weeks of hard work. “I think the most challenging part of preparing for the concert was combining all of the pieces with everyone,” Frazier said, referencing the rehearsals held in the band hall and on the stage the previous week.

Following the band performance, the orchestra performed a lively set that included everything from classic jazz to more modern pop songs arranged for violins and basses. One of the highlights was the group’s performance of “Elf,” which got many in the crowd tapping their feet and smiling along. Orchestra also performed themes from “Polar Express” and “Harry Potter”

Sergio Balderas, junior, who plays euphonium in the band, explained how happy he was wit the final result. “I felt excited because everything came together at the end. The end was very rewarding when everyone was applauding us for our hard work.”

As the final notes of “Let It Snow” played by the band, echoed through the hall, and the dazzling VMHS Rockettes graced the stage with gorgeous numbers to “Let It Snow” and “Hot Chocolate,”  the audience rose to their feet, applauding the students for their outstanding performances. The Winter Concert has become a beloved tradition for Patriots, and this year’s event proved to be no exception, leaving everyone eagerly awaiting next year’s musical showcase.