Choir brings holiday cheer

Sopranos Emily Barnhardt, Kacie Torres, and Jessica Grieco perform as a trio on the song “Santa, Tell Me.”

BY ANGELINA PEREZ

The Choir performed their annual winter concert on December 14. The choir consisted of 47 members who sang a range of 13 songs over two hours.

The choir came together and created a warm atmosphere in the auditorium for everyone to enjoy. “It felt cozy and very fun,” stated Joaquin Rivera.

The show featured performances from the whole choir, small groups, trios, and even a duet on the song “O Holy Night,” a holiday classic. “My favorite part of the concert was definitely singing our first group piece, it set a precedent for the rest of our pieces and created a positive atmosphere after it,” stated Jessica Orloff.

Junior Soprano Meghan Valanzola sings her part of a duet on the song “Oh Holy Night.”

Every member of the choir had their own favorites in the set list, including “Ose Shalom” by Eugene Butler. “It’s an absolutely beautiful piece,” commented Harrison Dillulio.

Near the end of the concert, the choir performed the song “Sleigh Ride” by M. Parish, L. Anderson, and H. Ades, in honor of Stephen Updegraff, a former choir teacher who passed away in 2022. Graduates from the classes of 2022 and 2023, who performed the song with Updegraff, joined the choir on stage to sing along. “[It was] very bittersweet,” said Megan Borsilli. “Sad because it brings back memories of Mr. Up and having to build the choir back up without him last year, but happy because of the fun times it reminded me of.”

Elizabeth Barnet, Camille Johnson, and other members of the Freshman Chair smile as they sing “All I Want For Christmas.”

The show also included the hallelujah chorus from a traditional song, “The Messiah” by George F. Handel. “Since freshman year, singing ‘Mendel’s Hallelujah’ was my favorite tradition,” stated Meghan Valanzola.

During the Hallelujah chorus, as part of an ongoing tradition, the choir encouraged all the graduates in the audience to join them and sing. “It felt really cool to know that even when people don’t go here anymore, they still come to support the choir and can send with them,” Jessica Orloff.

Freshman Soprano Jenna Wilkinson sings “Oh Holy Night,” a duet she performed with a senior classmate.

The seniors in the choir performed in their very last OBHS winter choir concert. “I valued all my time with my choir and being on stage with them was always an incredible experience all around” stated Kate Bonamo. Taking their last bow the seniors ended their last winter concert with laughter and enjoyment from themselves, other members, and the audience.

Many people attended the concert, including family members, friends, students, and faculty. “The choir concert is just a nice way to spend a night with your family or people you’re close to,” commented Dillulio.

After the success of the show, expectations for the future remain high. “The next one will be even better,” stated Rivera.

Roginey LaFortune, Emily Fiorenze, Kate Bonamo, and Zoe Fraier perform as a group on the song “Snowman”.
Senior Tenor/Bass Harrison Dillulio sings his solo on the song “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”
Isabella Monaco sings a solo in the Freshman Choir, on the song “All I Want For Christmas.”