By: Armita Rohani, Sophia Byl, and Hannah Block
The pinnacle of concerts and the biggest musical event of the year: Winterfest. For the past fifty years, the music department has worked tirelessly to perfect this one-of-a-kind (and most popular) concert, featuring all entities–band, orchestra, and chorus–alongside audition-based group acts that keep the music going throughout the night. This year, in honor of our school’s anniversary, Winterfest is proud to announce three very special guest artists coming to play for our community: Mir Ali, Staff Sergeant Audrey Yu, and John Stevens, all East alumni. As a special treat, all previous alumni are welcome to come join us in Student Street from 6:15-6:45 for a selection of treats and camaraderie! The concert is also back for two nights, Wednesday 12/18 and Thursday 12/19 (a change from last year’s outlier), starting at 7 pm. Winterfest will be composed of two Acts, interrupted by a ten-minute intermission. Entrance is free, and everyone is welcome to attend!
For the past fifty years, Winterfest has been opened up by the Grinch and the Grinchettes, setting up the house rules alongside a musical tune. This year, the Grinch will be played by Jacob Chavane, a senior in Chorale. As a sneak peak, make sure your phones are all on silent, and know where the emergency exits are. They also instruct you to hold your applause until the end of the show, but let’s be real, no one listens to that rule. Clap all you want when acts are over, just not in the middle of them!
Auditions for group acts were held on Monday, November 25th, where over fifty group acts auditioned for the mere twenty-six spots. These include a flute trio playing Kuhlau, a string quartet playing Rudolf and Frosty the Snowman, a harp and violin duet played by Ariana Crookston and Armita Rohani even a piano solo performed by Catarina of Chopin C# Minor. The bulk of the night’s acts will be filled by classes: Philharmonic and Symphonic Orchestra; (FM) Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble; Vocal Jazz, Mixed Chorus, Chorale, Choraleers, and Dynamics. However, the smaller acts contribute just as much to the Winterfest spirit. “I love getting together with a group of my friends to perform small group acts,” explained Chloe Viyannalage, a senior trumpet player who will be performing in acts such as a brass quintet and fusion jazz septet. “It’s a great way to play something new!”
Groups who will not be performing during concert nights can be found playing in the Commons as prelude music, and during the in-school assembly on Tuesday. “It was great seeing all the people who make Winterfest what it is and truly put into perspective for me just how talented the music students are,” says Braziah Brice, a senior in Philharmonic orchestra and Chorale
Wind Ensemble will be opening up the night (after the Grinch of course) on the stage, performing Rhapsody for Hanukkah, as well as Hidden Currents, a sweeping melody meant to represent the frozen-over Mississippi river. The latter piece features, as a soloist, East alum Audrey Yu, who is the U.S. Army Concert Band’s current Principal Oboe. Jazz Ensemble will then take over the reigns with The Chicken and Mele Kalikimaka. Finally, Concert Band will wrap up the night for the band department, playing Choose Joy and Christmas Halls of Wonder. Wind Ensemble Vice President Sophia Byl commented that it’s “awesome how much Winterfest brings everyone together. I’m looking forward to meeting all the wonderful alumni that will be performing with us, and to the smaller group acts that friends and classmates have spent so much love and effort putting together.”
Orchestra is up next! The first act will feature philharmonic’s best soloists: Armita Rohani, Evania Ernest, Jeebahy Prabaharan, Semi Akinlua, Biruk Fantu, and Benjamin Lluigicotta, playing Vivaldi’s Concerto Grosso. Philharmonic will then wrap up Act One with Wexford Carol, featuring principal cellist Tabitha Fors as soloist. “I’m so nervous but so excited to see how it will all fare up! All our soloists have been working so hard; only time will tell how well we do though!” says Concertmaster Armita Rohani. Symphony will pick up where Philharmonic left off in Act Two, playing Boccherini Fandango alongside guest artist Mir Ali on guitar, and Tchaikovski’s Waltz of the Flowers.
The chorus department is ready for Winterfest! Chorale, Choraleers, Dynamics, Mixed Chorus, and Vocal Jazz have all worked hard to hold up their end of the show. Mixed Chorus will be third on the show, playing Season of Light and Deck the Halls. Choraleers are up next, performing No More the Winter’s Hand, and their counterpart Dynamics will be singing The Shepherd’s Spiritual. Act Two will feature Chorale, as they perform The Ground and Ding-a-Ding. Evania Ernest, a senior in Choraleers, remarks “I’m so excited to play a part in Winterfest, especially because this year is East’s 50th! I’m also grateful that I have the opportunity to play [in philharmonic] a solo this year! This year will also feature some combination performances! For instance, Jazz Orchestra will be performing You Make me Feel So Young and Unforgettable alongside guest artist John Stevens. To wrap it all up at the end of the night, Symphonic and Senior orchestra, Chorale, and Wind Ensemble will be performing a specially composed piece by Doc Shewan, called Auld Lang Syne. Doc, who is a retired East music teacher, specifically created this piece in honor of Winterfest 50, and for Mrs. Ieda. Mr. Ardillo, who teaches Mixed Chorus and Dynamics, is highly anticipating this piece, remarking “I’m excited for our combined piece Auld Lang Syne. I’m excited for dynamics to have their first official Winterfest and that it’s going back to a two night event. This will be a wonderful event to get you ready for the holiday!” As far as tradition goes, this year is no different. Winterfest will be wrapped up by a rendition of Sleigh Ride, featuring seniors of Wind Ensemble and the two orchestras. This year, the famous horse whinny will be done by seniors Chloe Viyannalage and Sophia Byl. “Mr. Buckley gave us a masterclass on how to do the perfect horse whinny,” says Sophia. “Mine sounds good in practice; I just hope I can execute it at the concert!”
Wednesday and Thursday aren’t the only times you can see Winterfest at play! On Tuesday, December 17th, East will be having a Winterfest assembly for both East and Transit students (you can only go with teacher permission or during a free, sorry). Although it is heavily reduced from the actual night’s performances (for instance, different small groups will be performing—and only during this concert—and many of the big leagues will not be on stage, like Philharmonic or Concert Band).
To prepare for this incredible concert, the music department will be having a spirit week the week of 12/16-12/20. On Monday, be on the lookout for “Mean Grinch Holiday’s,” featuring holiday wear like ugly sweaters and Christmas attire, to kick off the holiday cheer. Tuesday will be “Black Out” in honor of the two assemblies held in school, and Wednesday will be “Dress Like a Music Teacher Day.”Chorale member and symphonic violist Robin Solazzo said “One of the best parts of the music wing is the camaraderie and togetherness that the ensembles bring. Silly spirit days like these highlight our strength as a group and really amp up the excitement for Winterfest! I’m so excited to dress up as Mrs. Ieda because she is one of my favorite teachers and it’ll be so funny to see so many people dressed up as all the music teachers.” On Thursday, we are going to ignore the Buffalo weather and set sail to Hawaii with “Tropical,” and on Friday, because we’re all tuckered out, will be “PJ’s Day.”
There you have it folks! A line up of all the festivities that have been stressing your music department out for the past two months. For the best seats during concert night, we recommend showing up early–there has always (and I mean ALWAYS) been a long line that has snaked all around the commons. Try to get seats in the upper center, as those often offer the best views of all the acts that will be performed all over the auditorium! Watch your step however, there are a lot of wires and stands set up! On behalf of the music department, we welcome you to Winterfest 50, and we hope to see you all there.