The band, concert choir, and Darlingtones all participated in the Traditions of Christmas concert on Dec. 9. This concert is held in the chapel, which was a new location this year, and it is a good way to get all the students into the holiday spirit. Sophomore band member Banks Brown, freshman band member Knox Merritt, and sophomore Darlingtones member Caroline Sawhill talk about the fun, joy and happiness the Traditions of Christmas concert brings to them.
When asked about the change in having to perform in the chapel, Sawill said, “It was more nerve-racking to sing in the chapel because we had a live audience we had to perform in front of. After rehearsing it was not hard to adjust to.”
Brown talks about the adjustments necessary for performing in the chapel, “Having to play in the chapel was a challenge because it has a lot more of an echo, it was not a hard adjustment after we practiced a couple of times.”
When asked about how playing the clarinet was in the chapel, Merritt said, “The sound carries on and echoes a lot more in the chapel than the band room. It like makes it a lot harder. It was not really hard to play in after we practiced though.”
Having to perform Christmas music differs from what these performance groups usually practice. The members have to make several changes and practice new types of music for this concert.
“We prepared differently because we had to sing different Christmas songs, this was a challenge because we do not practice Christmas music often,” Sawhill said.
“This was a little easier than our usual concert because it was fun Christmas music and you know what it sounds like,” Brown said. “We start preparing a little earlier because for me it’s a little harder.”
When asked if the concert if enjoyable to perform in, Sawhill said, “Christmas concert has more of a light-hearted attitude towards it, and everyone is just having fun and it is festive.”
“Playing Christmas music is more fun than our usual music and is a good memorable tradition we do,” Brown said.
The band members played in different parts of the chapel, lighting up the chapel with Christmas music.
“Being able to play Christmas music with half of the band in the balcony and the other half on the floor was fun,” Brown said.
Merritt continued.
“It is a memorable tradition because it provides Christmas cheer,” Merritt said.