Second in series of three public school holiday programs is on Monday
The Mountain Lake Public High School (MLHS) Junior High and Senior High Bands and Choirs will celebrate the season with a concert on Monday, December 15, in the school auditorium, beginning at 7 p.m.; the second of three public school holiday programs in December.
The Junior High Choir, under the lead of Director Andrea Brinkman, will perform “Te Deum Laudamus” by John Purifoy, a 4th century traditional Latin text that includes fanfare-like passages, as well as soft, lyrical sections to showcase contrasting movement. According to Brinkman, “This piece is a challenge for the Junior High, and tests their musical ability.” The choir will also present “Sahayta” by Ben Allaway, a call-and-response song using languages from around the world centering on the theme, “Singing and the Culture ofPeace. It uses many languages to convey peace, joy, unity, cooperation and praise. Percussionist on this selection will be Maurissa Isaacs and Jaelin Renquist. Another song to be shared is the traditional spiritual, “Child of God,” arranged by Emily Crocker, and will feature soloist Briana Lopez.
Senior High Choir numbers will include “African Processional” (Jambo rafiki yangu) – a song of welcome – by D. V. Montoya, edited by Ron Kean; an arrangement of “Jingle Bells” (an all-time seasonal favorite) by Joe Ambrosio that is enhanced by clever textual and rhythmic combinations written in 7/8 meter; a tranquil song conveying the message of stewardship, “You Will Reap What You Sow,” by Pepper Choplin, featuring soloist Ben Grev; an A cappella Christmas spiritual, “Have You Seen the Baby?” by Ruth Morris Gray and “Christmas Joy” (A Soulful Celebration) by Roger Emerson, with soloists Ryan McCue, Olivia Hopwood, Ruben Fentanez, Liana Blomgren, David Hall and Jareya Harder.
Piano accompanists for the choirs will be Levi Jahnke and Daniel Harder.
The Junior High Band, under the baton of Director Kurt Jahnke, will share “Yule Play the Classics,” a fun mash-up of classical tunes, such as Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” Mouret’s “Rondeau,” Johann Strauss’ “The Blue Danube,” Bach’s “Minuet” and Mozart’s “Sonata in C Major,” as well as several others combined with well-known Christmas tunes.
The instrumental group will also present “Feliz Navidad,” a holiday classic originally written and performed by blind guitarist, Jose Feliciano and features bilingual lyrics wishing the hearers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
In an arrangement of “Let It Snow!,” the Junior High Band has the chance to experience the early jazz style called Dixieland Jazz. The full band takes turns with a small ensemble consisting of Amy Bartsch (clarinet), Paton Buller (alto saxophone), Kayla Vonk (trumpet), Joel Salgado (trombone), Isaac Grev (tuba) and Ethan Klassen (drums).
The band concludes with “Rockin’ on the Housetop.”
The Senior High Band’s opening number features the popular traditional carol, “Ukrainian Bell Carol,” in a setting filled with driving energy and fresh sounds.
Welcomed to the stage by the Senior High Band is Vicki Beckendorf as guest violinist on “With Every Winter’s Breath,” a piece originally commissioned by a Colorado band to commemorate the passing of one of its members.
Senior Ben Grev will also be featured on trumpet on a delicate and reflective setting of “Go Tell it on the Mountain.”
“Christmas in the Round” features each section of the band in short ensemble settings of well-known Christmas tunes.
The Senior High Band will conclude with “A Celtic Christmas,” a festive holiday Rhapsody of popular European Christmas carols in traditional Celtic settings.
* Remaining on the holiday season public school concert schedule is the third and final program, the Java-N-Jazz Concert, slated for Monday, December 22, in the school auditorium, beginning at 7 p.m. This concert will feature jazz bands, show choirs, percussion ensemble, small groups and solos. New this year will be a free-will donation collected at the door, with each guest receiving a little treat. The desserts/drinks will be prepared by Amberly Hulzebos, Mountain Lake Public Elementary School second-grade teacher and owner/operator of Sweets By Am and Mountain Lake Public High School ag teacher Stephen Funk’s World Foods class.