Following their fall concert, Miramonte’s music programs gathered for their annual winter concert held last Thursday, Dec. 5. Directed by music teacher Carl Oser, this concert consisted of songs presented by Concert Choir, Musical Theater Workshop, a duo by sophomores Mia Cortesio and Lila Weis, Chamber Singers, Jazz Band, and a grand finale from the whole music department.
The first performance, sung by Concert Choir, featured two songs: “Winter Song” written by Sara Bareillis and Ingrid Michaelson, and “California Dreamin’” by John and Michelle Phillips.
“It was a whole lot of fun going up there and seeing the stage. I enjoyed performing and seeing everyone just give their all,” senior and choir member Wesley Adams said.
Following the Concert Choir, Musical Theater Workshop performed “No One is Alone” from the Musical “Into the Woods”, written by Stephen Sondheim.
“I liked performing ‘No One is Alone’…It was fun to convey a different vibe to the concert and for the audience. I thought we stayed in harmony really well,” senior Aya Minn said.
Next, sophomores Mia Cortesio and Lila Weis — both a part of the Chamber Singers — sang a duet together to “Hallelujah,” written by Leonard Cohen, putting together an incredible arrangement for the song.
“I loved being able to put the song together with a really good friend and then perform it,” sophomore Lila Weis said.
After, Chamber Singers took the stage to sing three songs, “Patapan Fantasia,” a favorite among the singers, “A La Nanita Nana,” a traditional Spanish melody written by Greg Gilpen, and, lastly, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, and Phil Spector.
“My favorite song was Patapan Fantasia. It’s close to my heart because it’s really fun to sing and perform. Overall though, everyone knew the material really well and knew how to sing in unison with each other, which was fun,” sophomore Olivia Szeman said.
Jazz Band then went on to play three songs:“Route 66,” written by Bobby Troup; followed by “When I Fall In Love,” written by Victor Young and famously performed by Natalie Cole; and lastly the song “Sofrito,” written by the Cuban percussionist Mongo Santamaría. Several jazz members sang to the chorus as well.
“My favorite piece is Sofrito because it has a really active guitar part that’s fun, but was also performed well by the whole band,” senior guitarist Leila Bickerstaff said.
“Sofrito is fun because it’s really peppy and all the parts mesh together well and create a really powerful sound,” sophomore Upright Bassist Sean Gupta said.
Lastly, everyone joined together on stage for one finale classic, “Carol of the Bells,” arranged by former Miramonte Vocal Director Megan Purdue. This song has been performed at every winter concert by the entire music department, as well as any alumni who wish to participate and concluded the night’s concert.
“Carol of the Bells was definitely my favorite song of the show. Having Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, Musical Theater and Band all singing together gave it such a cool feeling and fuller, richer sound…I felt it was a perfect note to end the concert on,” junior Noah Thaler said.
Overall, each ensemble gave it their all, putting together a show for friends, family, and any one else who wanted to see the music. “I’m really proud of all of the ensembles…I know each ensemble put in a lot of work to make this happen and it was really great to get everybody up there singing, including the jazz band at the end,” Oser said.
