The talented musicians of Verona High School will host their 2014 Holiday Concert at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17. The annual, crowd-pleasing concert will feature instrumental performances by the VHS Concert Band and Verona Jazz and Beyond, as well as several ensembles. Also performing are the VHS Concert Choir and the Jazz Vocal Ensemble.
The 75-member Concert Band will perform the always popular “Sleigh Ride,” as well as “Christmas Variants,” a theme and variation rendering of the classic hymn “O Come O Come Emmanuel” by Elliot Del Borgo, and “Blessed are They,” a beautiful, tranquil and lush transcription for band from Johannes Brahms’ timeless “Requiem.” The Concert Choir will present “All I Want for Christmas,” a medley from “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” and songs in German and Hebrew.
Verona Jazz & Beyond will feature a trumpet quartet performing a fanfare composed by director Max Morden; a guitar and pennywhistle rendition of a favorite song; and three pieces for the full ensemble. And the Jazz Vocal Ensemble’s songs include renditions of “Carol of the Bells,” “Jingle Bells,” and “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.”
This year, the Verona Music Parents’ Association will be hosting a truly fun fundraiser at the concert. The music program directors – Erik Lynch, Max Morden, Amanda Hamilton and Judy Szybist – have agreed to perform an “activity,” such as playing a Christmas song on the kazoo or singing the band’s Christmas list, based on participants’ votes. Attendees are invited to purchase tickets to ranging from $2 for one vote to $20 for 20 votes. More details are available at http://veronamusic.org/ho-ho-holiday-fun-raiser/.
As always, alumnae of the program and all music lovers will be invited to join in the singing of the Hallelujah Chorus, led by the Concert Choir, to cap off the evening.
The concert will be held in the Verona High School auditorium, 151 Fairview Avenue. Admission is free.
