As the audience began to file in and find their seats the lights began to dim and choir members filled the stage. The show opened with a performance of “O Lux Beatissima”— a beautiful symphony that set the mood for the rest of the performance. HHS’s Choir hosted their Winter Concert on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.
HHS’s choir is composed of several subsections such as Treble Choral and Legacy Show Choir, some of which students must audition for while others are based off of grade level. Succeeding the harmonious opening performance, Treble Chorale who usually represents HHS during festivals or other community events, took on the stage to perform. Starting with a joyous and jolly sounding piece titled “30 Second Fa La La” followed by “Winters Waking” by Amy Bernon, a much calmer and more delicate sound. They concluded, with a traditional German carol “Kling Glöckchen Kling” which directly translates to “Ring Little Bells Ring,” returning to the more upbeat and spirited sound that the group had started off on. Their incredible execution of the triad was proof of their powerful performance skills.
The audience was certainly enjoying the performance so far and it was clear that the performers deserved to be proud of themselves and the hard work that they had put in. “I like that we get to show our friends and family our hard work. We always talk about how the process is more important than the product but it’s fun to show off what the process can achieve,” Zel Quinn, a senior member of Treble Choral said.
Seniors Anushka Nair and Inaya Siddiqui then followed up by introducing the next portion of the event, Legacy Show Choir, and the piece that they would be performing, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” arranged by Mark Hayes. Booming with holiday cheer is the only way to possibly describe the performance given by the Show Choir. Their harmonies were brought by the energy boosted by the warm feelings that everyone has during the holiday. The powerful harmonies showcased a skill that is unique to the members of choir.
“The students and I were chatting, and we thought it’d be fun, since it’s going live on the radio tomorrow (Dec. 12) for you to get a sneak peak at it tonight, so this is the 12 Days of New Jersey,” director Ashley Mathews said. “The text is actually from the listeners of 101.5 (the radio station), and the harmonies and arrangement was kind of done collaboratively with myself and the students.” Mathews added.
The performance that followed was a special interpretation of the “12 Days of Christmas” playing on specific events that had gone on in New Jersey throughout 2025. These events included “12 planes not flying,” “11 drivers raging,” “10 films-a filming,” “9 fires burning,” and finally “a new governor Mikie.” The humor and originality definitely managed to inspire some laughs in the audience.
Mixed Choral then came on and continued the show with the arrangements “Gaudete” by Mark Burrows,” and John Rutter’s “I wonder as I wander,” before finally ending off their sector with a jazz arrangement of “Jingle Bell Rock,” a classic and hallmark of the winter time.
Ending off the show was a haunting performance of “Carol of the Bells,” by all choir students. This unearthly feeling was only enhanced by the positions that the members took, taking a break from the stage and surrounding the audience. Coming from all angles the members’ voices mixed and swirled together creating a symphony, leaving the audience with an unforgettable experience to look back on.
