The eighth-grade choir joined the Lakewood High School (LHS) choirs on Dec. 11 at the Lakewood Civic Auditorium for the annual winter choral concert. The evening showcased festive music along with the growth, dedication and sense of community that define the Lakewood choir program.

The concert opened in darkness, creating an atmosphere of quiet anticipation. With the only light coming from handheld candles, students processed in and serenaded the audience with the seasonal classic, “Silent Night.”

One of the most exciting aspects of the evening was the inclusion of the eighth-grade choir, whose presence added energy and variety to the program. The group’s repertoire featured a Serbian folk song, highlighting a willingness to explore music from different cultures, as well as a playful arrangement of “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.”

According to middle school choir director Lisa Blasko, the eighth-grade students have shown tremendous musical growth this year, particularly in vocal technique and ensemble skills.

“The students have made the most growth on vowels and four-part singing,” Blasko shared. “Eighth grade is the first time they sing in SATB, and I am very proud of their hard work to be successful.”

Taking on soprano, alto, tenor and bass parts for the first time is a major step for young singers; that progress was evident throughout the performance.

While the eighth graders brought a unique element to the concert, the high school ensembles demonstrated maturity and refinement shaped by months of preparation. The Symphonic Treble and Symphonic Mixed Choirs had each performed in at least one concert earlier in the semester, allowing them to grow significantly before the December performance.

Rayna Brooks, director of the Lakewood High School choir program, noted the challenge of the repertoire.

“It’s a lot of music to tackle, but they handle it well. Treble Choir has grown in ensemble skills and in developing a unified group sound, while Mixed Choir has improved in how they present themselves on stage and embody the music they sing,” Brooks said.

Senior Owen Hill, a member of Chamber Choir, Vive L’Four and Symphonic Mixed Choir, has been involved with Lakewood choirs since sixth grade under the guidance of Blasko and now Brooks.

“I love the Winter Choral Concert because you get to see all the choirs and see how all the groups have grown, and I love that at the end, everyone comes together to sing,” he said.

The balance between tradition and individuality is what makes the annual winter concert special. While elements such as the candlelight opening and combined performances with alumni and eighth graders remain consistent, each concert feels unique.

“It’s a new combination of singers each year, and it’s cool to see their ensemble’s style and personality differ each year,” Brooks added.

The Lakewood choir program is guided by a philosophy centered on community. Brooks describes choir as a “team sport,” where fellowship and shared goals are as vital as vocal technique. This sense of unity was visible as students performed.

The audience of family, friends and community members responded enthusiastically, rewarding the performers with eruptive applause. Brooks expressed hope that listeners would leave feeling uplifted, having enjoyed familiar favorites and songs performed in German, Serbian, French, Romanian and Latin.

“My goal for concerts is for people to leave and say, ‘Wow, I liked what I heard, and the choirs looked like they enjoyed performing it,’” Brooks said.

Looking ahead, the choir program is moving full speed toward the spring. The eighth-grade choir will soon begin a music jingle project and select a special “eighth-grade song” for the spring concert.

At the high school, auditions are now open for the Spring Choir Cabaret, which allows students to showcase solo abilities. In the coming months, choirs will also prepare for OMEA adjudication in March and the Spring Choral Concert in May, where senior members will be honored.

More than just a holiday performance, the Winter Concert was a celebration of growth and the shared joy of music that continues to define the Lakewood performing arts community.