 "Photo: Joy Kowald")
The Gala Holiday Concert on Saturday night brought all sectors of the music department together to welcome the Christmas season.
The gala featured familiar holiday pieces by famous composers like Mozart and Tchaikovsky, as well as contemporary songs including "Let it Snow!" and "I'll be Home for Christmas."
The concert presented 12 songs, performed by members of the gospel choir, women's chorale, concert choir, jazz ensemble, symphonic wind ensemble and the Whitewater Symphony Orchestra.
Jessica Nimm, sophomore and member of the symphonic wind ensemble, said they needed to rehearse frequently for the past two weeks because the choir isn't used to singing along with the orchestra.
"It's really neat because they had all the choirs sing with the jazz band, orchestra and symphony all together," Nimm said.
Ken Brzezinski, senior, is a long-time member of the gospel and concert choir but had never performed at the gala before. He was eager to participate in this year's holiday event.
Brzezinski practiced four hours per week to prepare for the concert. He attended concert choir practice one hour a day, three days a week and gospel choir one hour a day per week.
"We went through quite a bit of preparing, but it was well worth it," Brzezinski said.
Brzezinski's favorite part of the concert was the hallelujah chorus from "Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration," sung by the gospel choir, chamber singers and concert choir.
"I loved the hallelujah chorus, I wish I could've heard it sung from the audience," Brzezinski said.
Brzezinski enjoyed the Whitewater Symphony Orchestra's medley at the end of the concert the most because it incorporated eight holiday songs.
"There are so many songs people want to hear, but they had a great mix," Brzezinski said.
In addition to spreading Christmas cheer, The Gala Holiday Concert incorporated a fund-raising event for the music department's scholarship program.
The major contributors of the fundraiser were called Glorious Gala Angels and included various members of the community.
The Glorious Gala Angels donated anywhere between $24 to more than $200 each.
Some corporate donors include Jimmy Johns, Commercial Bank, DLK Enterprises, Culver's and Culligan Dalee Water Treatment.
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