ETHS Music Festival to be Held December 14

More than 300 student musicians will help ring in the holidays when Evanston Township High School presents its Music Festival at 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 14 at the ETHS auditorium, 1600 Dodge Ave.

Two orchestras (String Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra); three bands (Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Wind Symphony); and the choral groups of ETHS (Concert Choir, Chorale, Dazzling Dames, a cappella and vocal jazz groups, Master Singers, Chamber Singers) and the Handbell Choir will perform contemporary and classical pieces that set the holiday mood.

The orchestras will perform varied holiday pieces, including “Christmas Bells” featuring Nick Gehl, Fine Arts Department Chair, on chimes; Vivaldi’s “Winter” from “The Four Seasons”; and “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson; among other works. Charles Abplanalp directs the ETHS orchestras.

Band repertoire includes several holiday favorites as well as works by “Harvest Hymn” and “The Sussex Mummers Christmas Carol by Percy Grainger, and “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” narrated by ETHS District 202 Superintendent Eric Witherspoon. Matthew Bufis conducts the ETHS bands.

The ETHS choral groups will perform a variety of secular and holiday pieces including “A Holst Christmas,” “Ha Shalom,” “We Need a Little Christmas,” and various carol settings. Mary Theresa Reed directs the various ETHS choral groups.

Tickets, available at the door, are $3 for adults, $1 for students, and free to senior citizens and Boosters Club members.