Harrison Central bands and choirs present Christmas concert

Melodious sounds filled the Harrison Central Auditorium Dec. 14 as the Husky Band and Choir presented their annual Christmas Concert. The performance came after multiple postponements due to snow and proved to be well worth the wait.

The Beginning Band opened the program with seasonal selections, including “Jingle Bells,” “Up on a Housetop” and “Jolly Old St. Nick,” all from Essential Elements and arranged by Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser.

The Concert Choir followed with “A Hanukkah Remembrance” by Victor C. Johnson, performed in traditional Hebrew. Narrator Kierra Chapman shared the history of Hanukkah before the piece, which featured flute accompaniment by Hagan Hopkins. The choir then performed “In Dulci Jubilo,” a traditional Latin carol arranged by Russell Robinson.

The Concert Band took the stage with “Carol for Coventry,” a setting by Robert W. Smith of a 16th-century English Christmas carol, and concluded with “A Festive Fanfare” by Brian Balmages.

The Bella Voce Choir performed “December Rose,” featuring words from the German carol “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” and music from a traditional Irish carol, arranged with additional text by Tom Fettke and Thomas Grassi. Samantha Lee was featured as solo flutist. The choir also performed “Veni, Veni Emmanuel Ero Cras,” an 18th-century Latin hymn of ninth-century origin arranged by Michael John Trotta. Featured instrumentalists included Savannah Bates and Leah Rapp on wind chimes, Cyrus Adams on triangle and Bernie Smith on tambourine.

The Stage Band entertained the audience with “Christmas Is Coming” by Vince Guaraldi, arranged by Mark Taylor, featuring trumpet soloist Shaylen Bethel and tenor saxophonist Brylee Nichols. The group concluded with “Bossa Noel,” a French carol arranged by Clifton Jones, with trombone soloist Wyland Blake.

The Bel Canto Choir performed “The Cold Winds Blow,” with lyrics by Walter de la Mare and music by Paul David Thomas, followed by “Riu, Riu, Chiu,” a 16th-century Spanish villancico arranged by David Waggoner with elements of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.”

The Select Choir presented “Velvet Shoes,” adapted from a poem by Elinor Wylie with music and additional words by Andy Beck, followed by “Gaudete,” a traditional carol arranged by Philip Lawson. The choir then performed “Carol of the Bells” by Mykola Leontovich, arranged by Peter J. Wilhousky, inviting Select Choir alumni to join them on stage. The set concluded with “The Stormy Winter,” with words by Louisa May Alcott and music by Bruce W. Tippette.

The Symphonic Band closed the evening with “For on This Day, a Child Is Born,” arranged by Jeremy Bell, featuring soloists Aiden Pettit on trumpet and Kyle O’Rourke on alto saxophone. The group also performed “A Cambridge Carol,” arranged by Vince Gassi, and concluded with “The Polar Express” by Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri, arranged by Michael Story. Soloists included Samantha Lee on flute, Andrew Miller on clarinet, Kyle O’Rourke on alto saxophone, Brylee Nichols on tenor saxophone, Aiden Pettit on trumpet and Gabriel Stearns on flute.

The concert provided a festive and memorable evening that helped usher in the holiday season.