The Columbia Public Schools (CPS) Department of Fine Arts is performing for their annual holiday taping Dec. 7.
Holiday taping is a district-wide tradition in which high school vocal and instrumental ensembles perform holiday music at RBHS over the span of a day. The music is recorded and then aired over local news stations during winter break, RBHS Orchestra Director Alison Lankheit said. Lankheit said three different versions of the recorded performances are typically aired to ensure that the local community is able to hear a variety of musical pieces and ensembles.
“[Holiday taping’s] purpose is community involvement,” Lankheit said. “People in Columbia and surrounding areas can see the accomplishments of our school music programs, and [it] gets everyone into the holiday spirit.”
Senior Rebecca Robuck, cellist for the RBHS Chamber Orchestra, said her experiences with holiday taping over the past four years have been filled with positivity. [Holiday taping’s] purpose is community involvement. People in Columbia and surrounding areas can see the accomplishments of our school music programs, and [it] gets everyone into the holiday spirit. — Alison Lankheit, RBHS Orchestra Director
“It’s fun to get to play a holiday piece and for it to be broadcasted,” Robuck said. “We [also] get to dress up and wear fun sweaters or hats.”
Although the RBHS Wind Symphony primarily focuses on their upcoming concerts, senior percussionist Colette Miller said practicing for holiday taping, including the ensemble’s current piece “Sleigh Ride,” has brought excitement to rehearsals.
“My favorite piece we’ve played for the holiday taping is ‘Minor Alterations’ [back] in 2021,” Miller said. “I loved it because it was a complex and challenging piece while still being very fun and energetic.”
Lankheit said there are certain challenges when it comes to holiday taping, from choosing the difficulty level of pieces to working out the logistical aspect of recording, but the event is something she has enjoyed since she first started working at RBHS in 2015.
“I’m one of those people that loves holiday and Christmas music,” Lankheit said. “So just getting to have fun with some classic tunes, and even new works, is a highlight.”
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