Lakewood, a community known for its diverse music culture, proudly showcases the achievements of its students through annual concerts. A cherished tradition, the Sounds of the Season concert features all high school music groups performing holiday-themed music. This event serves as a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday spirit and highlight the community’s musical talent.

The concert, which lasted about two hours with two acts and nearly 30 different pieces, showcased the main ensembles — band, orchestra and choir — as well as smaller ensembles such as the Fourtes, Vive L’Four, and Woodwind Quintet. The event provided talented students with the opportunity to perform songs they have practiced extensively for a large audience.

The band, orchestra, and choir performed all together.

Preparation and Program Diversity

While the event only lasted around two hours, the preparation was extensive. “Obviously, we did a lot of practicing, including multiple four-hour rehearsals after school, but we also spend some of our day-to-day class time focusing on mindfulness, such as breathing together. All of the techniques and methods we learn help us tune in with each other, making us prepared for anything on stage,” said orchestra student Avery Greene.

Greene highlighted how teachers and students collaborated over multiple practices to reach this point. “I have improved through this program by learning how far hard work can take me. Our goal is to break all barriers that could stop a student from becoming the best version of themselves — not just as a player but as a person,” Greene added.

The concert ensembles, and Lakewood’s music program in general, extend beyond traditional in-school classes. One prominent group is the Lakewood Project, which features instruments not typically taught in classes. “The best part of the orchestra program for me is the Lakewood Project. I didn’t even know what it was until high school, and I would never imagine that I would be playing an electric viola. We get to play rock and pop music with electric guitars and drums. It’s a different way of making music, and it can be really fun,” Greene said.

The concert demonstrated the diversity of Lakewood High School’s music program, featuring many different instruments and groups, including two four-person choirs, a brass quintet and a woodwind quintet. This variety highlighted the musical styles available to students.

Community and Connection

Students shared their appreciation for the musical community fostered by the program.

“The best part of Sounds of the Season is getting to show all of the music we played. We’ve all worked very hard, and it’s exciting to perform,” said Lakewood band student Jada Goings.

Goings also highlighted the social aspect of the band. “The best part about the band is the people. You meet many from different groups. It’s nice to come together and bond with your section and make new friends,” she added, underscoring the strong connections within the department.

A Fond Farewell

The teachers are central to the program’s success. Dr. Elizabeth Hankins, who has managed the orchestra classes and the Lakewood Project for 36 years, led her final Sounds of the Season concert before her retirement this month.

The Sounds of the Season concert was her grand finale with Lakewood High School. “This is the best concert. It brings so much joy, and we are all together — so yes, this is a great final concert for me,” Hankins said.

She explained that she modeled the concert after a winter concert she held in high school, stressing the importance of uniting all the music groups. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to grow as musicians,” she said.

Hankins has dedicated significant time and effort to the program’s growth. “The orchestra program is known for hard work, resilience, and passion. Whether playing Baroque or rock music, the goals are to perform confidently, share a part of oneself with the audience, and have fun,” she added

The Sounds of the Season concert was another success, kicking off the holidays in Lakewood and showcasing the talented students in the music department. Concerts like this unite the community and demonstrate that the program continues to thrive, fueled by student pride and dedication.