Providence presents sounds of the season
Published Jan 14, 2008The Christmas season is a joyous time of tradition and celebration. Providence Catholic High School expressed the joy and happiness of Christmastime during its annual Christmas concert featuring the band and choir. Through music and song, the Providence community embraced the holiday season while appreciating the talents of band and choir members.
Providence’s band and choir Christmas concert took place Dec. 16, 2007. Under the direction of band conductor Brandon Faust and choir director Rasa Poskocimas, the band and choir performed beautifully. Both religious and secular pieces were presented.
The Providence choir, consisting of 19 students, performed seven pieces. The music represented a variety of styles with the intention of exposing the choral students to different genres of music. For example, the selection “Sing We All Noel” was derived from a traditional African noel. Choral students were also immersed in the Baroque style of music through a lively piece called “Sing Gloria.” In “Mary’s Little Boy Child,” the choir was introduced to calypso music. In addition to these educational selections, the choir performed traditional Christmas medleys in “Sleigh Ride” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
The choir closed its segment of the concert with its traditional ending, “Carol of the Bells.” This presentation has become a yearly spectacle at Providence. Moreover, it’s a tradition. The choir performs this song each year at Providence’s Christmas Mass, and choir alumni are invited to rejoin the choir to share in the performance.
The Providence band, consisting of 54 students, presented five selections. One of the band’s longer pieces, titled “Russian Christmas Music,” displayed the band’s exposure to the musical technique of sight-reading. The band was given this piece and expected to perform it by reading and analyzing the notes and musical symbols. The piece was rehearsed minimally for the concert, and the band performed it excellently. The band’s other selections included an Italian piece called “Funiculi, Funicula,” as well as “A Celtic Christmas” and the band’s traditional sing-along closing, “A Christmas Festival.” In further exhibition of its talent, the band performed Dec. 30 in the Alamo Bowl in Texas.
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