Mia Ascencio

The audience watches the inspiring performance.

The sounds of the holiday season filled Huntley High School’s east gym on Dec. 12 as the school’s band, choir, and orchestra joined forces for their annual winter concert. The evening filled the gym with festive sounds and powerful harmonies as all three music programs came together for a memorable night. The concert opened with the jazz ensemble, who brought the audience to life with “You Better Sleigh!” by JaRod Hall and a jazzy take on “Deck the Halls” arranged by PINKZEBRA.

The bright brass and rhythmic swing set an upbeat tone that carried throughout the evening. Megan Schwarz was an audience member of the performance.

“The concert was great to see,” Schwarz said. “I enjoyed it, and you could tell the students worked very hard.”

Her words echoed the smiles that were visible across the bleachers as the show began. 

Next came the percussion ensemble, performing “Christmas Quirks” arranged by Calvin Warren. The musician’s timing and energy demonstrated how even unconventional instruments can bring holiday cheer. The mood shifted beautifully as the combined orchestra filled the stage, performing “Jolly Old Variations” arranged by Caryn Wiegand Neidhold, “Boreas” by Todd Parrish, and “Chanukah Festival Overture” arranged by Sean O’Loughlin. From gentle variations to bold, cinematic themes, the orchestra’s sound was rich and expressive.

Following them, the combined band took the spotlight with “Festival of Hanukkah” arranged by Lennie Niehaus and “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson. The performance was bursting with energy, drawing smiles from the crowd.

Sydney Sullivan was a junior in the choir, and she reflected on the night’s success.

“We put a lot of work into this concert, [and] it really paid off in the end,” Sullivan said.

The combined choir then delivered a stunning showcase of their vocal power, their opening piece being “Betelehemu” arranged by Andy Beck, which filled the gym with joy. They followed up with “Sacred Place” by Alex Berko, a six-movement composition featuring the symphonic orchestra. The performance included inspiring solos by Miles Taylor, Katie Scaletta, and Claire Darschewski, each bringing depth and sincerity to the piece. 

The evening concluded with all ensembles for “Jingle Bell Rock,” arranged by Johnnie Vinson. The combined sound of voices, strings, and brass filled the theater with pure holiday joy, which was a fitting finale to the night.

Among the crowd was senior Olivia LaLiberty, who attended in support of her friends.

“It was a lot of fun to come watch some of my friends sing and perform because I’d never been able to do that before,” LaLiberty said. “I’m definitely going to come to future concerts.”

By the end of the concert, it was clear that Huntley High School’s winter concert wasn’t just a showcase of musical talent, but it was also a celebration of its community.