The ConVal High School Performing Arts Department capped off 2025 with a Winter Concert Dec. 17, showcasing the talents of student musicians and vocalists in a family-packed gymnasium.
The concert was jointly coordinated by Choir Director Brian Moore and Band Director Jonny Trudeau, with accompaniment by pianist Mary Ann Fleming.
The evening opened with the Chamber Choir performing “In Noctem,” a piece featured in “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” followed by two seasonal selections, “A Winter Wish” and “When Snow Begins to Fall.”
Next, The Trouble Clefs, a contemporary choir ensemble, delivered a performance of “Bring Me Love” by John Legend. The Concert Band followed with a set that highlighted the percussion section. Their selections included “Siege” by Randall Standridge, the holiday classic “Let It Snow!” by Sammy Cahn, and “Shine Bright” by Patrick Roszell.
The Select Choir again took the stage with “Winter Lullaby (Little Dear–My-Soul)” by Luke Flynn and “Nu’oli,” a Hawaiian-language rendition of the hymn “Glad Tidings!” based on Luke 2:10.
The Concert Choir followed, opening with “A Winter Eve,” a musical setting of New England poet Robert Frost’s “Good Hours.” After the choir’s three-piece set, the Concert Band returned with “The Christmas Song” by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells, along with “Ride Through the Valley” by Chris Bernotas.
The evening concluded with a combined ensemble performance of “A Christmas Festival,” directed by Trudeau. ConVal alumni in attendance were invited to join the band and choir for the finale, which earned a standing ovation from the audience.
Following the concert, Moore and Trudeau reflected on the performance.
“The band has been going at it since the start of October,” Trudeau said. “We’ve met pretty much every day leading up to the Winter Concert. I’m both impressed and relieved. Your nerves start building over the weeks, but when it all finally works out, it’s great.”
Moore, who has been with the Performing Arts Department for more than 13 years, noted the challenge faced by some of the vocal groups.
“Some of the choir has been meeting about every other day since September,” Moore said. “However, the Select Choir has only met six times over the course of the school year, for about 45 minutes at a time, so this was a big deal for them.”
Moore said the song selection process balances tradition with student interest.
“We look at demographics and heritage,” he said. “The school has a tradition of putting on a concert every year, so we look at that, but we also gauge student interest.”
With many performers still underclassmen, Moore and Trudeau expect to continue building the program in the years ahead.
Although the Winter Concert marked the end of the semester, the Performing Arts Department will perform at the Monadnock Valley Music Festival hosted by Keene State College on Jan. 17, the annual Rock-a-thon fundraiser in February, and district concerts in March for both band and choir.
For more information about upcoming performances, visit the ConVal High School website.