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"If you are in need of joy today, you’ve come to the right place," Dani L, MC for the night, stated in his opening remarks. And surely, the Upper School Band, Ensemble, and Choir took us on a journey from jolly Christmas Carols to joyful worship of the one who is our true source of joy.
Centered around this theme of Joy, the night opened with a series of fun and festive renditions of beloved Christmas classics. The Upper School Band delighted its audience with upbeat jazz pieces, such as "Glorious Christmas" by Larry Neeck and "Santa Meets the Big Bands" by James D. Ployhar.
The Upper School Ensemble followed with an animated performance of "The Nutcracker Jingles," a jazzy a cappella medley of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, set to the lyrics of "Jingle Bells" (arr.). Chuck Bridwell. The merry and memorable choreography, matched with the jovial reimagining of such familiar Christmas music, certainly made spirits bright. They followed it with the Holiday staple, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"(arr.). Pete Schmutte.
The band returned with the enchanting "Fantasia for Christmas" by Elliot Del Borgo, and closed their portion with "Sleep in Heavenly Peace," a magical, serene lullaby, in William Owens' arrangement.
Dani then helped facilitate a shift from "happy" Christmas songs to the fulfillment of our deeper need for true joy in the birth of the long-expected Christ.
People have tried to find peace, real peace, for centuries, but it is only truly found in one place – in God. People were waiting for a Messiah [...] through suffering, through pain, with hope, with longing.
Dani L.
The Upper School Choir embodied that sense of longing for the promised deliverer as they surrounded the audience with candlelight and the beautiful sound of their opening piece, "The Longing," penned by Bonnie Lynn Arbaugh and arranged by Douglas Nolan. Jiin K.'s skillful and emotive cello solo added that extra tug on the heartstrings.
As the music shifted into a more upward-facing worshipful tone, the audience considered the Joy that Christ's birth brings to earth through carols like "What Child is This?" beautifully sung by the Ensemble, followed by the choir's powerful performances of "We Three Kings" and "Have You Seen the Baby." Then the choir invited the audience to sing with them in a moving moment of congregational worship. Thus, together with the families and staff present, they invited one another to "O Come, let us Adore Him" in the classic "O Come All Ye Faithful" by John Francis Wade.
We sometimes find ourselves wondering about our part in this – if He was who He said He was – is it truly for me? I am not worthy, or I am not sure what He thinks of me...
...Shared Dani in preparation for "I Wonder As I Wander," by Kyle Pederson. The choir powerfully addressed such questions. Accompanied by Mira T.'s wonderfully disarming violin solo, they sang the lyrics:
The gift in the manger is given for all,
The strong and heroic, the lost and the small
Christ bids to our stone hearts, “come soften and give,”
And offers His own heart, so others may live...
Kyle Pederson
The ensemble responded with their last song of the night, "My Gift" by John Ratledge and Christina G. Rossetti, an invitation to give our hearts to Jesus, who is Immanuel, God with us.
And when we do give Him our hearts, it changes everything. Our peace is not based on our circumstances, we understand just how much God the Father loves us. We do not have to work to gain his favor, our joy is not based on temporary things but based on the One who is eternal. That is the message of Christmas: Christ came to bring JOY, PEACE and LOVE. We have a message to share – and it is GOOD NEWS of GREAT JOY!!!
Dani L.
The Upper School choir and band's brass section, with string players on handbells thus responded with the penultimate piece of the night, "Joy to the World."
The evening concluded with a beloved, longstanding ICSB tradition, in which visiting Alumni who once were ICSB choir members joined the current Upper School choir in singing Handel’s "Hallelujah Chorus." The audience stood and joined in singing this glorious masterpiece. Thank you to our alumni for contributing to this powerful display of unity and community.
We are so proud of our talented students for using their musical gifts to spread this great joy. Thank you, Mrs. Rebecca Lingenhoel, for your leadership and dedication to our students and to sharing this good news.
May we lean into this joy, help spread it to the world, and...
...Let every heart prepare him room.
