The Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School winter choral concert took place the night of Wednesday, Dec. 20. The concert featured multiple selections—many being holiday or winter themed—sung by the school’s concert choir and various after school choirs.
The auditorium was packed with supportive friends, family, and recent graduates home for break, all of whom were excited audience members. They were certainly not disappointed by the amazing talent of the students.
Performing choirs included Las Cantadoras, Chamber Choir, Men’s Choir, Sensations, Select Choir, and finally Concert Choir. Several soloists were also featured throughout the night, along with student musicians as accompaniment, including pianists and percussionists.
While every performance was impressive, a highlight of the night was a comical holiday song medley by the Men’s Choir. This audience favorite featured soloists Nate Redmount, Brent Mankin and Roberto Lugo. The singers captured the audience beginning with “12 Days of Christmas” and ending the mash-up with “Africa” by Toto. Amidst the audience’s iPhone recordings and much laughter, the Men’s Choir was clearly successful.
Finally, all the choir students came together in the Concert Choir performance. Those from every grade came together to sing songs such as “Sleigh Ride”, “Durme, Durme”, “Keep Your Lamps”, and “Christmas.”
“We had a really great mix of songs at this concert, which made this performance especially entertaining,” Rachella Carlino, choir librarian and soloist, said. “Everyone knew their music and genuinely had fun. It was also amazing to have Mrs. Allen back after she had been on maternity leave.”
As the last song of the night, director Jan Allen invited the alumni to sing “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” with current students. Students were seen hugging and warmly welcoming past years’ choir students before singing together just one more time.
“It is truly amazing seeing all these amazing singers who graduated from a year ago spanning to ten or twenty years ago come together and be able to sing this beautiful piece,” Carlino said.
Overall, the audience left the auditorium satisfied and excited for the next concert. The choir section of the music department had another very successful winter choral concert, performing both old audience favorites and lesser known arrangements. These students impressed audiences with their incredible voices, talent and ability to combine their talents to create such beautiful music.