[dropcap]O[/dropcap]n Tuesday, Dec. 15, RBHS Chamber and Concert Choirs held a vocal music concert for the last time in 2015. The concert revolved around Christmas themes in the spirit of the current holiday season.  
The show was arguably very different than other previous concerts held by choir. Not only did chamber and concert choir receive the privilege of performing together, but RBHS invited middle school choirs from Jefferson and Gentry Middle Schools.
“This concert was a combined performance of middle school students and high school students which I had never participated in before,” senior Lindsay Picht said. “I thought it was so cool to see how far we’ve come in our singing, and the progress the younger kids have made as well. It also made me appreciate my parents more for sitting through every single one of my concerts, even when I had some major improving to do.”  
Vocal music director Mike Pierson was proud of both choirs’ performances Tuesday evening. He said the concert was very unique compared to other concerts he has conducted in the past.
“You get to see the progression of learning the music and perfecting the music as close as we can, but we can also had guests tonight in middle school choirs,” Pierson said. “That’s kind of a built-in recruiting tool for us and it’s a good way for our students to see how middle school students are doing as well.”
Senior Kelli Johnson said it was a night she wouldn’t forget. As this is her last year performing in high school choir, this marks her last holiday concert at RBHS.
“I think tonight was a memorable one for me since it’s my last holiday choir concert in high school,” Johnson said. “I loved all of the pieces we sang and I think that most everyone else did, too.”
The middle school choir sung a variety of unique ballads, including “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day” and “Gaudeamus Hodie”. The RBHS choir performed “Veni, Veni Emmanuel” and “Deck The Hall,” along with several other songs from all around the globe.
“My favorite part of the concert was the song ‘Veni, Veni Emmanuel’,” Picht said. “Everyone worked so hard on perfecting rhythms and words, and to see it come together was great. I also thought that song was a perfect combination of power and beauty, and it’s one of those songs that makes me remember why I love singing in a choir.”
Pierson said the concert, like any other formal performance, was a learning experience for the choir, but he believes the unique circumstances for tonight’s concert made this lesson extra special and hopes it has lasting effects.
“It’s a continued learning experience for the students in performing in front of an audience,” Pierson said. “It’s an even bigger learning experience for our students tonight because our students were able to watch another choir first and have some of the things we learn in class reinforced.”
What holiday performances have you attended? Leave a comment below!
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