To close the semester on beautifully high notes, the MICDS Upper School Choirs presented two performances of the 17th annual Winter Masterworks Concert in Orthwein Theatre.
Accompanied by a professional orchestra and under the direction of Dana Self, Upper School Choirs Director, the 70-voice choir performed Missa Festiva, a contemporary work by John Leavitt. Missa Festiva, performed worldwide with both secular and non-secular choirs, is a vibrant and challenging choral work based on the traditional Latin texts of the Mass. The music uses contrasting styles, with sections that are gentle and melodic and others that are rhythmic and energetic. The accompanying orchestra included Meredith Mack ’26 on flute, Isabelle Williams ’26, Grace Maher ’27, and Director of Global Learning & Upper School Community Service Erin Hamill on violin, and Ellie Chen ’26, Dhruv Avirneni ’27, and Lucas Cheng ’27 on cello. Additionally, Charlie Mills ’26 served as the Lighting Director.
The show began with an uplifting classic, It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, to set the holiday mood. Harper Clark ’26 and Ray Spencer ’26 welcomed the audience, and Spencer shared, “I speak for every singer on stage when I say preparing for Winter Masterworks isn’t easy. But today, we add the missing piece of the puzzle: you, our audience. You are what makes it worth all the hard work.” The choirs continued with Carol of the Bells and Sleigh Ride before turning their voices to five movements of the Missa Festiva.
Self said, “Missa Festiva has exposed these young people to a style of singing that is not easy and not regularly performed in a high school setting. While at first glance it may look relatively easy, it is a challenging work that reinforces the musical skills we work on daily: balance and blend, intonation, rhythmic accuracy, diction, word stress, dynamic contrasts, and the importance of singing together as an ensemble. This is the third time we have performed this work at MICDS. Alumni who performed this work in 2015 and 2021 are quick to say it was one of their favorites because of its beautiful melodies, the fun and catchy rhythms, and its contemporary feel.” Soloists during Missa Festiva included, in order of appearance, Milton Duckworth ’27, Akira Washington ’26, and Michal Kenigsberg ’27.
In addition to Missa Festiva, the choirs rounded out the show with a bit of winter nostalgia and light-hearted favorites, including Deck the Hall, Holiday Romance, Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Slow Dancing in the Snow, and Jingle Bells (as performed by Barbra Streisand).
Andrew Ford ’26 and Akira Washington ’26 provided closing remarks. They thanked the volunteers and the Parents Association Arts Boosters for supporting the students through two evening performances, including dinner and more, and the professional musicians who accompanied the choirs. Ford shared, “One of the many clubs offered at MICDS is the Heart to Heart club, led by soprano Reina Banerjee ’27. Heart to Heart has facilitated a relationship with a local senior living facility, and we are honored to have several residents from The Grande in Chesterfield with us tonight.”
To close, they invited alumni and audience members to join the choirs in singing Hallelujah! Chorus from Handel’s Messiah.
Thank you, Upper School Choirs, for your hard work over the last several weeks preparing to fill our hearts and souls with music to celebrate the holiday season! Click here to view the complete concert program.