Wednesday marked the annual Band and Orchestra December concert which is a sure sign that winter break is drawing closer. This concert featured a host of different musical genres and musical ensembles, including the Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, String Orchestra, and String Ensemble that gave a memorable concert showcasing the high quality of Haverford’s student musicians and music teachers who make the award-winning department.

“The Concert Band has the challenge of working with the underclassmen, but I thought the wind ensemble did a nice job because of their combined years of experience,” said junior trumpet player, Greg Kingston.

But not a note of any holiday music was played. The groups reserve the holiday favorites for the homeroom winter break concerts where the Wind Ensemble has played “Sleigh Ride,” the popular orchestral composition by Leroy Anderson, for at least 10 consecutive years, if not more.

“Everybody likes that song because it’s familiar. I like it because it’s my favorite Christmas song. The Ronette’s version is the best, but I like hearing the Wind Ensemble too,” said junior Jack Durfee.

The Chamber Singers will also follow-up, as usual, after a number of other songs, with their rendition of “Carol of the Bells.”  

“I wish they would sing more holiday songs at the concerts. I like “White Christmas” and that heat miser song,” said junior Vinnie DeGideo.

The two 46-minute homerooms will take place on Tuesday, December 16 and Wednesday, December 17 for the combined freshmen and sophomore class and the combined junior and senior class, respectively.