Ending the Term on a High Note: Concert Celebrates Student Talent

Since the beginning of the year, the Senior School Choir has been hard at work developing and refining their singing skills under the guidance of Ms. Kathy Alexander who joined us in September. They made their debut with Ms. Alexander this year at the Remembrance Day assembly and almost immediately began preparing their winter songs, which they proudly performed on December 10 at the Winter Wonderland concert. 

The concert at the UVic Farquhar Auditorium showcased an array of talent. The Junior School choir, led by Mr. Haines started the concert off with fun and lively songs bellowed passionately by the little choristers. The Middle School Choir performed next, singing songs with more grace and reservation. Finally, the Senior School choir took the stage, showing off their talent and skill singing the dramatic Ring Out Wild Bells, Santa Lucia in Danish and the upbeat, pop song Seasons of Love. 

“I think our harmonies were really great,” said Chelsea Mak ’25, one of the soloists for the Senior School choir. “All the sections held their part amazingly well which created an overall unanimous sound!! I also had a really amazing time singing a solo in Seasons of Love—it was such a fun opportunity. I love how we all came together and worked together to achieve such an amazing sound, and all the group work and everyone’s efforts are such an important part.”

Ms. Alexander also shared her thoughts on how the concert went. 

“The music was just so good!” shared Ms. Alexander. “All the singing and instrumental music was delightful and well done. I think one thing that went very well was how we worked together as a team to get everyone on and off the stage in an orderly way throughout the concert. Ms. Pagett and Ms. Smook as well as the students and other staff did an incredible job so all the transitions were smooth.”

The transitions were indeed smooth—in between the choir and band, Ms. Alexander and Mr. Haines led an auditorium-wide sing-along to some familiar tunes: Frosty the Snowman, Jingle Bells and Winter Wonderland. Almost everyone participated in the sing-along, even the stage managers and Farquhar crew!

After a brief day of rest, the Senior School choir headed to Nigel House on Thursday afternoon to perform their winter music, and to sing festive carols. The choir performed in a cozy and snug room, where residents and staff—even the school bus driver—drifted in as the choir began to sing. 

With such little time to rehearse between the two concerts, the Senior School choir did amazingly well, supporting and singing together to put on a magical performance and most importantly, have fun.