The Portage High School is excited to showcase its award-winning music program with the annual Holiday Spectacular Band, Orchestra, Choir Concerts. The PHS bands, orchestra, and choir will play multiple Christmas and holiday songs to ring in the holiday season.
Even though they have a lot of time to practice, it takes a lot for an ensemble of musicians and singers to come together. At first they look over many different pieces to see what and how they are going to play them.
“We sight-read a wide variety of options of music to see what will work best for each band and which pieces give them the right amount of challenge,” said Mr. Teykl, the band director.
After they select a piece that resonates with them they then have to work together to make it sound the best they can make it.
“We’re focused on having good rehearsals in class every day and improving as a group as much as possible. Students work individually outside of class time as much as possible to learn their individual parts better and better, day by day,” said Mr. Teykl.
The Symphonic/Concert Mega Band will play a fanfare based on “Joy to the World” called “Celebrate the Season”, along with a fun medley of music from How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The Wind Symphony will play “Up on the Housetop” with a variety of unique percussion instruments, along with a medley of popular holiday season melodies called “Celebrate the Season”. The Wind Ensemble will play very compelling and exciting songs of holiday classics entitled “A Holiday Celebration” and “English Carol Festival”. They will also be combining with the choir and orchestra to create a moving version of “Somewhere in My Memory” from Home Alone and “Part of the Messiah”!
Their holiday concerts will be taking place Tuesday, December 10th, and Wednesday, December 11th, at 7 PM in the PHS East Auditorium. Then, after winter break, they are going to be performing solo and ensembles at Coffeehouse performances at the end of January.
