The annual MHS winter concert brought together the Symphony Orchestra, Band, and Choir for an evening of music that filled the auditorium with excitement. Students and teachers had been preparing for months, and their hard work showed in every performance. From energetic pieces to softer, emotional moments, the concert gave the audience a mix of styles and sounds. Many people said it was one of the year’s most memorable shows.
For student performers, the weeks leading up to the concert were filled with long rehearsals, new music, and the challenge of bringing together multiple ensembles. Junior Clara Selber (’27) said that preparing this year felt different now that she is an upperclassman. “Being a junior meant I had to step up and help newer members, which was very different from last year,” she explained. Still, she noted that learning the pieces felt familiar. “Everyone was included and willing to learn their parts, and we all loved the song choices, which made preparation really fun.”
Clara, who joined the Swing Choir for the first time this year, said she was especially excited to hear how the mostly upper-voice group would sound without tenors. She also shared how proud she was of the group’s performance. “Half of Swing are new members, so completing our set was really special for all of us, especially knowing we had fostered a new community.” Despite the absence of last year’s seniors, Clara said the ensemble rose to the challenge. “It felt very different with so many talented seniors gone, but I think we were able to step up and fill in those gaps.”
Senior Isla Dapkins (’26), a member of the Symphony Orchestra, described the preparation process as similar to previous years but made more intense by the music department’s busy schedule. “This fall and winter, we prepared for four big performances, which were the winter concert, small ensembles concert, children’s concert, and the school musical,” she says. “We learned a ton of music in a relatively short amount of time.” Her favorite part was rehearsing the Christmas and Hanukkah medleys. “I like it when we play songs that are familiar to the audience,” she says. With everyone’s busy schedules and all the concert prep, the young musicians at the high school are working hard this season.
Leo Federspiel (’26) explains the season as, “Honestly, this has been one of the busiest but most rewarding seasons we’ve had. There’s a lot to juggle, but it feels worth it when everything starts coming together.” Leo is a part of both the Symphony Orchestra and the Jazz band. The music department has many students like him who play multiple instruments across different groups. These students are working especially hard right now, not only on music but also on finding a good balance between schoolwork and music.
Symphony Orchestra Director Ms. Mullen reflected on the long journey her students undertook to prepare for this year’s performance. She explained that the winter concert is “always a big production,” and that rehearsals begin as early as October. This year was even busier than usual because “many of our students were preparing for both the Children’s Concert and the winter concert at the same time.” One of the biggest challenges, she said, is that the orchestra rehearses in separate sections and only comes together as a whole ensemble near the concert date. “This proves to be challenging when preparing for our concerts,” she noted. Still, Ms. Mullen said each year feels fresh because of the students themselves. “Each performance is different because of our incredible students,” she said. “Every school year offers the opportunity for new music.” Above all, she hopes the audience will feel the joy that the students bring to the stage. “It’s a special night to bring in the holidays and celebrate the end of the year together,” she said.
The winter concert once again highlighted the creativity, commitment, and community that define the MHS music department. Whether students were performing in their first concert or their last, the night was a celebration of months of effort and the joy of making music together.