West High’s music department had a busy December week with multiple concerts and events. On Tuesday night, the Symphony Orchestra and four concert choirs showcased material from the last two months at the annual Choral Masterworks performance. Concert and Philharmonic orchestras’ concert Echoes of Winter — originally intended to be Thursday evening — was changed to an in-school showcase Dec. 12 after an inclement weather early release.
At Choral Masterworks, the orchestra opened with “Alleluia” from “Alleluia and Fugue” composed by Alan Hovhaness before moving to “Goodnight Moon” by Eric Whitacre, performed with soprano singer and West alumna Karissa Burkhardt ’20. The group finished their set with the fourth number of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s “Four Novelletten.”
Choir Director and teacher Dr. David Haas then welcomed the audience as West’s choirs took the stage. Following a video message from André Thomas — the final song’s composer and Haas’ former mentor — the choirs and orchestra performed movements “Kyrie,” “Gloria,” “Sanctus” and “Agnus Dei” from “Mass: A Celebration Of Love And Joy” with vocal soloists LaDejia Douglas and Choir Director Luigi Enriquez.
After Thursday’s early dismissal due to winter weather, Concert and Philharmonic orchestras’ planned performance was postponed to Friday morning during school. Concert Orchestra began with “Somewhere In My Memory” by John Williams from the movie “Home Alone” and “Sonata for Strings” by William Hofeldt. The Philharmonic Orchestra was next, performing “A Jubilant Overture” by Joshua Reznicow, which featured solos by Thomas Gao ’29, Mac Genkinger ’28, Peter Gavrusev-Kortenkamp ’28 and Ana Rippentrop ’28. Finally, West’s Chamber Orchestra played “Danse Nègre” from “African Suite” by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Philharmonic then joined them onstage, finishing the performance together with Chris Pilsner’s “Snow Falling in Autumn,” which included solos by Shanza Sami ’26 and Ellie Roetlin ’26.
Looking forward, West’s Good Time Company and Showtime show choirs will perform at the Winter Swing Show Dec. 14 and Choirs for a Cause Jan. 7. The concert choirs will sing next at the Midwinter Choral Concert Feb. 24 and all orchestras will play next at their combined showcase Feb. 26.
