Each December, Boston Latin School bustles with preparation for the much anticipated winter concerts. This year, they started on December 10 with orchestra performances. The choirs followed the next night, and the School’s bands and the Pizzazz Show Choir closed out the performances on Friday. All the concerts started at 6:00 P.M., and audiences listened to well-prepared musical acts by performers clad in classic black and white concert attire. Attendees were encouraged to donate to the music program at BLS in order to keep the events running. Volunteers, who are only one part of the expansive community that comes together to support students during concert season, helped this staple event of the school year run smoothly.
Beyond the time they spend on stage, many young performers stay behind with friends, grab food and do their homework on show nights. The dining hall is left open for students to relax and eat prior to the start of their performances. Through this time with friends, the winter concerts have become a student tradition and opportunity for making great memories. BLS Concert Band member Jennifer Okwesa (IV) explains, “[The concerts are] a really fun time to spend with friends and just to hang out.”
As the time for the concerts approached, however, members of the performing groups felt tensions rising higher as expectations for the standard of their performances increased. A number of students felt more was expected of them during their practices, and they spent a greater amount of time outside of school thinking about and preparing for their performances.
Choir member Cristina Lopez Tran (II) elaborates, “I feel like it’s always just prep, prep, prep or like get it together, get it together. The tension is very high, especially because there’s no time for dilly-dallying.”
Despite this increased pressure, the students delivered a successful and fun set of concerts for both BLS performers and guests. With families in attendance to watch BLS students, memories were made and parents were proud, as the concerts represented the beautiful culmination of all the students’ work and dedication.
As a chance to showcase the hard work put into their art over the school year, concert nights are a highlight for students to look forward to. “They’re great every single year. I genuinely enjoy them, [and] I have so much fun,” says BLS Symphonic Band member Keigan Wiggins (II).
The winter concerts are a burst of cheer as the weather gets colder and students and teachers alike eagerly await winter break. Festivity for the holiday seasons reaches a peak with holiday songs and the chance for friends and families to reunite and reconnect. The winter concerts are a well-loved tradition of the BLS community and will continue to be a favored annual experience for students, teachers and parents alike.
