Paramount once again was the beautiful venue for the Middle & High Schools Winter Concert. The choruses were first, singing Celebrate with Jubilant Song, Grant us Peace with piano accompanist Johnna Hayward, Seasons of Love with soloists Joshua Gaillard and Quiana Malcolm, Sleigh Ride with percussion by Emmanuel Henry, and Fiesta Navidad, also with percussionist Emmanuel Henry. The High School Chorus sang Jingle Jing, Stars I Shall Find, Three Jazzy Bell Carols, Winter Wind, and My Tue Love Gave to Me.
According to Ms. Hamilton, Chorus Teacher in both Middle and High School, “The students were excited about singing and enjoyed performing for parents which is such a beautiful place with great acoustics.”
The Middle School Concert Band performed Williamsburg Overture, Hymnsong Variants, Watermelon Man featuring Andy Martinez on alto sax, Kenneth Jackson on baritone sax, Paul Belad
ino on guitar, Ryan Ray on bass guitar, Aris Green on piano, and Emmanuel Henry on percussion. Their last song was Christmas Magic.
The HS Woodwind Ensemble was next with 3 selections: Bach's Chorale, Handel's Courtly Dance, and Mozart's Finale. The HS Concert Band was the last performing group with 3 selections: Triumph of the Skies (an overture of Hark the Herald Angels Sing) featuring Juliana Terjessen on flute, Kelly Stevenson on clarinet, & Alex Velez-Green on trumpet, Westside Story Medley featuring Jason Dick on alto sax, Alex Velez-Green on trumpet, and Vincente Robinson on percussion, and they finished with African Bell Carol, featuring Dominick Torres on a drum solo.
A special performance of Tears from Heaven – sung by Vincente Robinson, accompanied by Charlie DiNota on acoustic guitar and Mr. Hahn on acoustic bass – brought tears to many in the audience.