This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Candlelight Concert Signals Holiday Season at Harvey

Harvey Singers in Fine Voice at Candlelight Concert

(KATONAH) Members of the Harvey community, students, their families and staff, ushered in the holiday season Wednesday evening with the annual Candlelight Concert performed by singers from both the middle and upper schools in the Lasdon Theater of The Walker Center for the Arts.

The Candlelight Concert, under the direction of conductor Kathryn Cushman, is the traditional finale of the school’s 2013 season of performing arts. It was standing room only for the concert that included the Upper School Chorus, the Middle School Chorus, the Chamber Singers and a new vocal ensemble, the Women's Chorus.

In addition to the singing by the chorus members, senior Lily Brouwer helped set the tone for the evening with tender renditions of “Cantique de Noel” and “O Chanukah” on the harp. Also performing on instruments were two music teachers, Christin Cooper on piano and trumpeter Mislav Forrester who was paired with Director of Studies Bob Cook on trombone for “No. 1 Processional.” Cooper, the assistant conductor, also served as the piano accompanist throughout the evening.

While the program was filled with a number of familiar holiday standards, such as “Let It Snow” and “Carol of the Bells,” Director Cushman included some lesser known pieces, such as a traditional French carol, “March of the Kings” and the Spanish carol, “A La Nanita Nana” performed by the Middle School Chorus with a solo part sung by eighth-grader Hana Cornell. One of the most evocative pieces was “Requiem” by modern composer Eliza Gilkyson, who wrote the piece to memorialize the victims of a tsunami in Southeast Asia in 2004. The arrangement of the piece is the work of Craig Hella Johnson who also arranged the blending of “Lo How a Rose Ere Blooming” and “The Rose,” which featured a solo appearance of the Altos in the Combined Choruses.

In keeping with tradition, special guest singer, Headmaster Barry Fenstermacher, performed "I'll Be Home for Christmas," and talked about the song’s history, dedicating it to those in any type of service to their country.

When the concert ended with a spirited “Joy to the World,” there was a prevailing sense that the holiday season is indeed upon us and that the days ahead will soon be filled with the joy of the gatherings of family and friends.

 

 

Find out what's happening in Bedford-Katonahwith free, real-time updates from Patch.





We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?