On December 4th and 19th, Mamaroneck High School hosted its annual winter concerts. The winter concerts are a staple in MHS’ holiday festivities each year, as the Music Department’s main and smaller ensembles perform in their first concerts of the school year. The first concert on the 4th featured all of the small ensembles.
These are the audition-based groups that meet before school to rehearse. The show on the 19th showcased the exceptional talents of the symphony orchestra, mixed choir, and concert band, who came together to perform festive pieces that they have been diligently preparing since the beginning of the school year.
The first concert kicked off with a performance by the studio band, followed by In Treble, the Male Accapella Choir (MAC), The Force, the Swing Choir, the Jazz Band, and the Chamber Orchestra. The night closed with the Pops Orchestra, who collaborated with In Treble for “Fidelity” by Regina Spector.
On the 19th, the orchestra performed pieces spanning across many genres and time periods. From the first notes of “Gloria,” a Baroque piece that combined the choir and orchestra to the beautiful annual tradition of “Peace, Peace,” the night demonstrated brilliance and artistry. Isla Dapkins (’26), a violinist in the symphony orchestra, described the experience as “enjoyable and festive,” adding that the alumni joining the performers for “Peace, Peace” made it even more meaningful.
In addition to the ensembles as a whole, the night also showcased individual talent. A lively rendition of “Capriccio Espagnol” featured violin solos from Juliet Wei, Mia Robarts, and Isla Dapkins. For the holidays, they played “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” as well as a Hanukkah medley, highlighting the fact that the two holidays overlap this year.
The concert band played a variety of classic and festive pieces. “Amazing Grace,” a simple but dynamic arrangement, featured a saxophone solo from Nolan Smith and a flute solo from Nessa Cutler. “Liberty Bell” was performed as a march, contrasting the other pieces in its unique arrangement and showcasing the band’s diverse skillset. Their set ended with “Sleigh Ride,” which is a decades long annual tradition for the band.
Gina Intravaia (’26), another violinist and president of the Tri-M Music Honors Society, described the concert as a culmination of months of effort. “We’ve spent so long preparing these pieces, and the concert is our chance to showcase all of our hard work to our family and friends,” also noting that many see it as a bonding experience, bringing together students from diverse backgrounds to perform for a large audience. She also loves that a lot of the pieces are combined between the orchestra and choir, giving them the opportunity to “see what it’s like to play together.”
This year’s concert in particular held a special significance for the music department. With one of the largest freshman classes in years, the ensembles were more dynamic than ever. Elyse Mullen, the orchestra director, credited recent changes made by administration, as students can now sign up for certain music classes without sacrificing another elective. For the freshman, the concert was their first opportunity to showcase their talents in front of an audience as high school students, while for seniors, it represents the culmination of years of dedication and growth, “symbolizing both beginnings and ends,” Mullen concludes.
