By Andrew Yu (Reporter ‘25)
On a cold winter night at Shallcross Hall, the last Tuesday before Winter Break, students, parents, and teachers listened while music floated through the air as the Upper School Orchestra, Chorus, and Jazz Band performed at their annual Winter Concert.
The orchestra, conducted by Mr. Bradley, opened the concert with a trio of pieces. They began with the serene piece named “Schafe Können Sicher Weiden,” or “Sheep May Safely Graze,” by the baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach. Originally written as part of the Hunting Cantata BWV 208, the piece evokes a common scene of pastoral serenity. Sung in the perspective of Pales, the ancient Roman god of shepherds, the piece compares the peaceful life of sheep to life under a wise and watchful ruler. The piece was later adapted for an orchestral setting, a version of which the Orchestra performed as their premiere performance of the night. Next, they performed an Ouverture from George Bizet’s L’Arlesienne, from Suite No. 1. The piece starts with and develops on a strong, energetic theme, based on the Epiphany carol “March of the Kings.” Finally, the orchestra concluded with an orchestral adaptation of a Radiohead song, “Paranoid Android,” arranged by Mr. Bradley.
After a short transition to allow the stage to be reassembled, it seemed that the stage remained empty. Where were the choristers? They began their program with a unique entrance: they sang “Now I Walk In Beauty” from the balcony of Shallcross. A traditional Navajo prayer, it truly did seem that “beauty was above” us as it was sung. Upon entering the stage, the upper voices performed “Bomba Hollande,” by Suzette Ortiz. She is an accomplished pianist, composer, and choral conductor who helped the upper voices premiere this bomba, a traditional Puerto Rican dance and musical style. This energetic performance was accompanied by percussion, including wood blocks, maracas, and conga drums. Next were the lower voices, who sang “Riu Riu Chiu,” an ancient Spanish poetic and musical form that gained modern fame as a Christmas carol. Together, the Chorus then performed “Blessed Be,” composed by Melanie DeMore, a piece meant to celebrate the spirit and joy of human connection. Finally, the Chorus created a circlesong, an improvised piece meant for members of the audience to join in the joy of singing.
Members of both a capella Vocal Groups, Foxtones and Gracenotes took to the stage for the next four pieces. First, they sang “Cruel Summer” by Taylor Swift, arranged by Brett Blackiston. “Cruel Summer” is a fan-favorite song centered around the sweet but painful experience of a casual summer romance. Next, they sang the well-known pieces “You’ve got a Friend in Me” and “Calling all the Monsters,” by Randy Newman (arr. Dan Wessler) and China Anne McClain (arr. Brandon Pemberton), respectively. Finally, the seniors of the Vocal Groups sang a special piece, named “Mary did You Know?” by Pentatonix (arr. Roger Emerson). The piece, sung to Mary, the mother of Jesus, invites listeners to contemplate the relationship between the mother and her divine Son, and what would become of Him in His adulthood.
The Jazz Band then concluded with four pieces. The first was “Fly Me To the Moon” by Bart Howard. Although traditionally associated with a cover by Frank Sinatra, this jazz piece (even without its lyrics) is ethereal and dreamy, a classic love song devoted to the aforementioned characteristics of romance. The popular piece has been recorded over 300 hundred times. Next, the Jazz Band performed “The Cape Verdean Blues,” a piece from an album of the same name by Horace Silver. The lively piece is inspired by the music traditions of Cape Verde and features solo improvisations from many musicians. Third, they performed “Reckoner,” by Radiohead. Mr. Bradley dedicated this piece “to the ancestors, people who help us become who we are.” He guided us to listen to where the music reaches an emotional peak and to feel the raw intensity of the piece with a vision to “raise the spirits.” He invited the audience to participate by following with their spirit and energy. The piece begins simply with repeated piano chords and percussion, but gradually, with a repeating 3 note idea, builds to an extraordinary musical, rhythmic, and spiritual summit. The ecstatic energy is sustained for most of the piece and slowly winds away, returning to the simple piano and percussion line from that height until the end. Finally, to end the night, the Jazz Band performed “Son of Mr. Green Genes,” by Frank Zappa. This enthusiastic piece features extensive horn and guitar sections.
Thus concluded the Winter Concert. Congratulations to all the musicians and their collective work to put together an amazing evening of music!