Members of the Westfield High School Wind Ensemble entertain the crowd during a past Winter Concert. Schools across the city will host students performances throughout the month. (File Photo)
WESTFIELD-Students of all ages in the Westfield Public Schools are in final rehearsals for their respective school concerts – a highlight of the holiday season for parents, grandparents, and the community at large.
Melanie Chasse, principal at Paper Mill Elementary, encourages area residents to join family members and support the students who work hard every fall on their holiday program.
“People can expect to hear students performing songs that are fun and celebrate the winter season,” said Chasse. “The chorus and band will have the students performing songs they have learned in small groups.”
Two concerts are slated in the school’s auditorium on Dec. 17 – from 1:30 – 2:45 and 6 – 7 p.m.
“The 1:30 p.m. concert will feature students in Kindergarten through Grade 4,” said Chasse, adding that the 6 p.m. concert will feature the chorus in Grades 3 and 4 and the band in Grade 4.
Lisa Dubchak is the general music and chorus teacher and James O’Conner serves as general music and band teacher for the 320 students at the school.
“The students appreciate the opportunity to show off their musical talents,” said Chasse. “The music is focused on the joy of the winter season. The songs will have you tapping your toes.”
Holiday events also open to the public this holiday season at the schools includes:
- Dec. 9, 1:30 – 3 p.m., Munger Hill Elementary School winter concert featuring K-4 Music, Grades 3 and 4 Chorus, and Grade 4 Band. Also, from 6 – 7 p.m., a concert will feature Grades 3 and 4 Chorus and Grade 4 Band.
- Dec. 11, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Franklin Avenue Elementary School winter concert featuring K-Grade 2. Also, from 2 – 3 p.m., students in Grades 3 and 4 will perform.
- Dec. 11, 7 – 9 p.m., Westfield Middle School winter concert featuring students in the band and chorus.
- Dec. 12, 9:45 – 10:45 a.m., Southampton Road Elementary School winter concert featuring K-Grade 2. Also, from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., a school concert will feature students in Grades 3 and 4.
- Dec. 17, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Highland Elementary School winter concert. Also, the concert will be repeated from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. and from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
- Dec. 17, 7:30 – 9 p.m., Westfield High School winter band concert.
- Dec. 18, 10 – 11 a.m., Abner Gibbs Elementary School winter concert featuring K-Grade 2. Also, Grades 3 and 4 will perform from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., and the band and chorus will perform from 6 – 7 p.m.
- Dec. 19, 6:30 – 9 p.m., Westfield High School winter choir concert.
David Gomes, who oversees choral, guitar and piano studies at Westfield Middle School, said the chorus, band and general music curriculums throughout the year focus on building creativity and performance skills that can be connected to the real world.
“The seventh and eighth grade students are wonderfully curious and willing to explore and build musical skills,” said Gomes. “Musical genres explored include commercial jingles, movie soundtracks, video game music, sports themes, the possibilities are endless. All are invited to listen to the choruses and bands present our holiday performance in the auditorium on Dec. 11.”
At Westfield High School, the winter band concert will feature the Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble and a combination of all bands as the grand finale.
“Some highlights will include traditional seasonal songs composed by Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Trans Siberian Orchestra, Leroy Anderson and a host of others,” said Patrick Kennedy, instrumental music director for Westfield High and Westfield Technical Academy. He also serves as secondary level lead music teacher for the Westfield Public Schools.
Kennedy added that the Concert Band will perform Jonathan Leshnoff’s Eight Nights of Light, and the Wind Ensemble will perform Star of Wonder, a “beautiful” combination of traditional carols.
“The Jazz Ensemble will have your toes tapping with a Latin jazz piece entitled God Rest Ye Mambo, Gentlemen,” said Kennedy. “All the musicians will come together at the end as the full Westfield High School Band to perform An American Christmas and Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride.”
