Bronxville HS Orchestra Brings Holiday Cheer To Hospital

BRONXVILLE, NY — Members of the Bronxville High School orchestra, led by orchestra director Dr. Denise Lutter, spread holiday cheer by performing an arrangement of holiday classics for the staff and patients at Lawrence Hospital Dec. 8. “I was delighted when one of the doctors borrowed a student’s cello and played two selections with us,” Lutter said. “We hope that impromptu moments such as this bring joy to those who work in stressful, demanding professions, and we hope that the music served to brighten the spirits of the patients.”

Lutter and the group of students — George Daher (violin), Christopher Hutchins (violin), Kirsten Ircha (viola), Theodore Liao (cello), Masha Popovic (violin), Claire Rich (cello), Sarah Whitney (violin) and Amy Xu (cello) — performed favorites such as “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Up on the Housetop,” “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas,” “Deck the Halls” and “Carol of the Bells.”

They performed throughout the hospital, including the maternity ward, cancer center and orthopedic department, according to a district spokesman.

As members of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, the students use their musical skills in service to others. In the past, Bronxville students have performed at nursing homes, senior centers and local churches.

Photo caption: From left, Bronxville High School students Christopher Hutchins (violin), Masha Popovic (violin), Bronxville High School orchestra director Dr. Denise Lutter, Bronxville High School students Claire Rich (cello), Theodore Liao (cello), Kirsten Ircha (viola), Sarah Whitney (violin), Amy Xu (cello) and George Daher (violin). Photo credit: Bronxville Union Free School District.