Winter Concert at Naugatuck High School

Although my bio states that I am a theater critic wannabe, I do have a little background in music. This is why I made it a point to attend the Winter Concert 2011 presented by the Music Department at Naugatuck High School on Dec. 13 and I am glad that I did. The program began with the twenty students in Chorus who performed “Colors of the Wind” (from Disney’s Pocahontas,) “What a Wonderful World,” and “Circle of Life” (from The Lion King). Although they only had four male voices, the alto and sopranos were perfectly balanced for a lovely sound.

Next up was the a cappella group known as the Chamber Singers. I never get tired of hearing this by audition group and when I grow up, I want to be a Chamber Singer. This collection of 18 young ladies and 12 young men is just so good. They sang “Ave Verum Corpus,” “Jenny Rebecca,” “Yesterday” and “Fum, Fum Fum” (a Spanish Dance Carol). Their director, Mahlon Peterson, ensures that they are in perfect sync and excellent harmony, despite the fact that they sing without accompaniment. 

The Chambers were followed by the Combined Symphonic & Concert Band which opened their portion of the concert with the holiday favorite “Sleigh Ride.” Robert Hughes, the new band director, mentioned that this piece was written by Leroy Anderson, a Connecticut resident, who actually guest-directed the Naugatuck High School Band in 1964 and the performance was recorded on an LP (for those of us who know what that it) a copy of which Mr. Hughes recently found in the music room. The combined bands also played Bach’s “Sleepers Awake” and a medley of carols entitled “Upon a Winter’s Eve.”

The Marching Band then took over the stage and presented their last performance of this year’s award winning program. The pieces, “Tapestry of Nations,” “We Go On” and “Reflections of Earth,” were works written by Gavin Greenaway for Disney’s EPCOT Center Illuminations: Reflections of Earth nighttime light show and were absolutely amazing. Since I had not had the opportunity to see the band in competition, I was so happy to have the chance to at least hear the music. The student band directors were a joy to watch and the drum line rocked!

The Concert Choir assembled next to perform two movements of the “Magnificat (My Soul Doth Magnify God)” by Giovanni Pergolesi. The choir will be performing the entire work on January 17 at the Congregational Church at 7 p.m. Yes, it is in Latin and is very beautiful.

The concert ended with the Combined Choirs and they can only be described as a sea of humanity taking to the risers. With what appeared to be every student at the high school (not really,) the students sang Lennon’s “Imagine” and the classic “Danny Boy.” They moved on to “Carol of the Bells” (where the basses rocked the low bell tones) and “Silver Bells” (where the audience got to join in.) All the songs that were not performed a cappella were accompanied by the iconic Wendy Ruggeri on piano. The final song was Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” and Mr. Peterson invited former chorus members in the audience to join the students to sing. Many singers of different ages were happy to oblige and I just sang soprano from my seat in the audience.

Kudos to all the Naugatuck High School Music Staff and every student who took part in this impressive concert.