The Silver and Gold Winter Concert took place on Dec. 9 in the Civic Auditorium. The concert highlighted different music groups, including the String and Philharmonia Orchestra, Camerata Orchestra, Soprano/Alto Choir, Tenor/Bass Choir, Concert Band and Symphonic Band. The evening delivered a concert full of energy, emotion and exceptional musical talent, bringing musicians and audience members together.
A Cherished Tradition
The Silver and Gold concert is a cherished community tradition that showcases the dedication and musical growth of students after just three months of preparation. More than a performance, it demonstrates the unity and spirit of the Lakewood City School’s Music Department.
“I feel so supported. It’s a very uplifting and positive environment from both classmates and teachers,” said Freshman Cory Clemens from the Camerata Orchestra.
Lakewood’s music department gives students the platform to share their passion for performing and connect the community through the universal language of music.
Orchestra Performances
The concert kicked off with the orchestra. The String and Philharmonia orchestras took the stage first. Lakewood High School has five separate orchestras. String is dedicated to cellos and basses, while Philharmonia is for violins and violas. Though they rehearse separately, they unite for concerts to perform their music.
The first piece was “Winter Sleigh Ride” composed by Chris Bernotas, an energetic selection capturing the excitement of winter. String and Philharmonia then performed “Angels in the Bleak Midwinter” composed by Larry Clark. This piece was gentle and expressive, featuring soloist freshman Harper Haney.
Camarata orchestra then joined String and Phil to play “March from the Nutcracker Ballet” by by Peter I. Tchaikovsky, arranged by R. Longfield. The collaboration showcased the orchestras’ crisp articulation, elegance, and charm.
Camerata then performed several songs on its own, starting with “A Solitary Wish” by Brian Balmages, which featured delicate phrasings and warm harmonies. Next was “Reindeer Gallop” by Robert W. Smith, a quick-tempo piece with rhythms that mimic the sound of reindeer hooves. The final piece by Camerata was the extremely energetic “Wizards in Winter” by Paul O’Neil and Robert Kinkel, arranged by Bob Phillips, which had the audience on the edge of their seat.
Orchestra director Michael Dandron praised the young musicians, saying, “The freshmen have the ability to think on their feet and accept changes really easily.”
Choral Highlights
The choir performances brought a wide range of styles, moods and energy to the concert.
The Soprano/Alto Choir began with “Camino Caminante” by Stephen Hatfield, showcasing the group’s precision and blend. Next, they sang “Remembering Decembers” by Pinkzebra, a piece that evoked the beauty and nostalgia of winter memories. It featured soloists freshmen Kat Banks, Rosie Benning, and Ashtyn Swiat. The final piece for the Soprano/Alto Choir was “Sing Ding a Ding a Dong” by Lynn Shaw Bailey, an upbeat selection that brought humor and festive cheer to the program.
The Tenor/Bass Choir followed, beginning with “Bella Ciao” by Christi Jones, accompanied on piano by senior Cole Hammer. The choir showed the audience strong, resonant tones and impressive vocal control. Following this was “Sixteen Tons” by Merle Travis, arranged by Shaw came after, which highlighted the group’s range and richness in their voices, featuring soloists freshman Jaden Foster and sophomore Dylan Emerson, along with a descant from junior Graham McAlvey.
Both choirs finished their performance by uniting to sing “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson, arranged by Beck, creating a full, vivacious sound that served as the perfect finale for the choral portion.
Band Showcases Variety
The band showcased several different pieces with a variety of different ranges and energies.
The Concert Band opened with “African Bell Carol” by Robert W. Smith, which emphasised percussion and captured the audience’s attention. The band then played “Shaker Variants” by Elliot Del Borgo, demonstrating how the group can smoothly transition from calmer to more powerful dynamics. Their final piece was the cherished Christmas song “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” by J. Rox, arranged by James Kazik, which added humor and holiday cheer.
The symphonic band began its performance with Richard L. Saucedo’s “Fantasy on Deck the Hall,” a vibrant, lighthearted twist on the classic Christmas carol. Following this modern arrangement was “Joyful Lily” by Yukiko Nishimura, a light piece that captured a sense of celebration with its bright melodies. The final piece of the entire concert was “A Dashing Gallop” by James Pierpont, arranged by Patrick Roszell. The band delivered a spirited and lively finale that left the audience smiling.
The bands presented a balanced and engaging performance. Junior Mikayla Jaissle from the Symphonic Band noted, “It’s so cool to see everybody working together to create something that is unique to our specific band.”
The Lakewood Music Department is truly an incredible program, supporting its students and staff time and time again. The Silver and Gold concert was extremely well done, a clear testament to the hard work and passion of these young musicians.
