Irvington Musicians Kick Off Holidays With MetLife Performance

IRVINGTON, NY — The Irvington High School Wind Ensemble and Chorale performed a variety of holiday classics during the annual Bernard Kaplan Memorial Music Program Concert Series, held in the main lobby of the MetLife Building in New York City Dec. 4. Members of the Wind Ensemble, under the direction of interim band teacher Dr. Aaron Patterson, and the Chorale, under the direction of Janet Gillespie, have been performing at the concert for several years.

Each year, Judith Kaplan, who organizes the annual two-week event in honor of her late husband, hand selects only a few ensembles to participate.

“Our students love to kick off the holidays with this concert, and their enthusiasm is contagious,” Gillespie said. “Afterward, several audience members told me how impressed they were with the performance. I am so proud of our students’ hard work. We are honored to be included in this series.”

Patterson said the students and music department faculty were thrilled to return to the MetLife Building to participate in the concert series.

“The students entertained a large crowd of businesspeople, tourists, Irvington alumni, parents and family, and passersby for an hour with nearly 20 holiday-themed selections,” he said.

The Chorale performed a set that included favorites “S’vivon” and “Ding, Dong, Merrily On High,” as well as 16th-century works “Ríu, Ríu, Chíu” and “Psallite.” The students also performed “Boar’s Head Carol,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Chanukah, O Chanukah,” “Deck the Halls,” “I Have a Little Dreidel,” “Jingle Bells,” “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Sleigh Ride” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

The Wind Ensemble performed “Carol of the Bells” by Mykola Leontovich and Peter Wilhousky, “Carols for Christmas” by John Cacavas, “Happy Holiday/White Christmas” by Irving Berlin, “Jewish Folk Medley” arranged by Jack Bullock, “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson, “Somewhere in My Memory” by John Moss and “The Eighth Candle” by Steve Reisteter.

Get Rivertowns Patch’s daily newsletters and news alerts right in your inbox. Find and “Like” Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages.

Photo caption: Members of the Irvington High School Chorale, under the direction of Janet Gillespie, performed at the annual Bernard Kaplan Memorial Music Program Concert Series on Dec. 4. Photo credit: Irvington Union Free School District.