The MICDS Upper School Choirs presented two performances of the 15th annual Winter Masterworks Concert on December 13 in Orthwein Theatre.
Accompanied by a professional orchestra and under the direction of Dana Self, Upper School Choirs Director, the choirs performed Regina Coeli (Queen of Heaven) K.276 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) as the major work this year. Composed in 1779 at Salzburg Cathedral, this bright, joyful work is the last of three settings of this text by Mozart. This setting of the Regina Coeli features a small orchestra, mixed chorus, and soloists of all four voice parts. It is worth noting that Mozart saw a performance of Handel’s Messiah two years previous, and you hear a nod to the Hallelujah! chorus in the repetition of the word “Alleluia.”
The Regina Coeli included two quartets that added depth and dimension to this dynamic piece from Mozart. The first featured quartet included Rebecca Sennaraj ’24, Soprano, Agatha Curylo ’24, Alto, Ben Iken ’24, Tenor, and Joe Walsh ’24, Bass. The second quartet included Haya Hussain ’24, Soprano, Kate Williamson ’24, Alto, Ben Iken ’24, Tenor, and Intisar Iqbal ’24, Bass.
The choirs also performed numerous winter and holiday favorites, including Sleigh Ride (Leroy Anderson), White Christmas (arr. Roy Ringwald), Winter Wonderland (arr. Andy Beck), and Jingle Bells (as performed by Barbra Streisand). Two new pieces were added to the repertoire: Slow Dancing in the Snow (arr. Jay Althouse), a slow 50’s style rock ballad that cleverly mixes memories of summer with the images of winter, and a stunning new arrangement of Nat King Cole’s signature song, The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) (arr. Mark Hayes). The concert closed with an invitation for guests to join the choirs on stage in the traditional singing of the Hallelujah! chorus from Handel’s Messiah.
Thank you, Upper School Choirs, for filling our hearts with music to celebrate the holiday season!
Enjoy a short video below with a selection from the concert, and click here to view the complete concert program, with the cover design by Sawyer Merlin ’25.