Bloomfield High School Musicians Ring In the Holidays

Bloomfield High School student musicians performed for a packed audience at the Doris E. Gilbert Auditorium this past Wednesday evening, December 14^th, for a winter concert featuring the Bloomfield High School Choirs, Bloomfield High School Orchestra, Bloomfield High School Brass Ensemble and the Madrigal Singers.

The BHS Brass Ensemble, directed by Brendan Hughes, opened the concert with selections of classic holiday music from "Deck the Hall" to "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!" The brass ensemble is comprised of 14 selected musicians who come together to create the unique sound of season.

The Bloomfield High School Orchestra, under the direction of Emil Richard Waldmann, played selections from the perennial favorite “A Charlie Brown Christmas” composed by Vince Guaraldi. The student orchestra also presented selections from “The Nutcracker” and compositions by Mozart and Bach. The concertmaster for the evening was junior Jasmine Daniel.

Under the direction of Michelle Digaetano, the Bloomfield High School Choirs presented traditional songs of the season, including “Feliz Navidad” and “The Hanukkah Song” and classic holiday fare, such as “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” The Bloomfield High School Madrigals presented an a cappella renditions of favorite old chestnuts, among them: “White Christmas” and “Ding Dong Merrily On High.”

For the first time, the BHS Choirs appeared in formal gowns for the women and tuxedos for the men. Director Digaetano instituted the new apparel to give the choirs a more modern and professional appearance.

The evening closed with a Bloomfield High School tradition, the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s “Messiah” performed by combined choirs and orchestra, who were joined onstage by alumni of the BHS Choir.