Starting the holiday season on the right note, Westwood Choirs performed at their annual Winter Concert titled “Underneath the Stars” at the Hope Presbyterian Church on Friday, Dec. 8.
Westwood’s show choir, Audacity, opened the concert alongside the all-boys choir, Bellator, singing the holiday classic Jingle Bell Rock in their festive sweaters and hats. Throughout the concert, there was a mix of classics with Carol of the Bells and Jamaican Noel with lesser-known pieces like Riu Riu Chiu and Days of Beauty.
“I loved getting to sing Jamaican Noel for the first time,” Anika Salsberry ’25 said.
During previous concerts, each ensemble would be introduced, walk on stage, sing their pieces, and exit making room for the next ensemble. For “Underneath the Stars,” many of the selected pieces used combined ensembles, so Director Andre Clark decided to have all of the choirs stand on the stage for the entirety of the concert.
“This year’s winter concert was honestly an interesting experience,” Salsberry said. “I really enjoyed singing with the entire program because it felt nice to feel supported while singing. Sadly, I didn’t get to fully enjoy other choirs’ songs because everyone was on stage, and I was more worried about what songs were next in the set.”
The concert closed with the long-held tradition of The Lord Bless You and Keep You, bringing all of the ensembles together as they performed as one choir.
Westwood Choirs will next compete at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Area D auditions on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. More information can be found here.
