DHS gives the gift of music this holiday season

Christmas is just two weeks away. If you can’t get your fill of holiday music on the radio, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy it live at a series of winter concerts hosted and performed by the Davis High School music department.

Within the next two weeks, the DHS bands, orchestras and choirs will all take the stage at the Brunelle Performance Hall at Davis High School, 315 W. 14th St.

First up are the DHS Concert Choir, Advanced Treble Choir, Jazz Choir and Madrigals, who will perform at the Winter Choral Concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The concert is directed by Karen Gardias and William Zinn, directors of the choir programs at DHS.

“We will play a number of holiday favorites, a little bit of classical music, a little bit of more contemporary music, so it’s a variety,” Gardias said.

The choirs will perform individually, but also will join for a few combined numbers. A selection featuring players in the orchestra and DHS staff members is also planned.

“We are looking forward to sharing the event with our DHS community.” Zinn said.

The DHS Concert and Symphonic bands will perform at their Winter Rhapsody Concert on Thursday, Dec 20. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. and is expected to end by 9:30 p.m. The two bands will perform symphonic pieces as well as holiday music.

“Come and enjoy it,” director Tom Slabaugh said. “It’s gonna be great.”

The DHS String Quartet, Baroque Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra will perform at the DHS Orchestra Program Winter Concert on Friday, Dec 21. The show starts at 7 p.m. The orchestras will perform much more than just holiday music.

“We are avoiding traditional Christmas music,” orchestra director Angelo Moreno said. “I’m trying to teach the students a lot of hard-core classical music. This first concert isn’t a Christmas concert; it’s just their first concert of the year.”

The Chamber Orchestra’s performance will feature a ballet accompanying music from “The Nutcracker.” Moreno’s daughter, Giavanna Moreno, is directing the ballet.

“She picked three of the best dancers here in town, and they’re putting together some choreography for these three dances.” Moreno said.

The orchestra performance will end with a combined performance of “Sleigh Ride” where any DHS orchestra alumni are encouraged to join the bands on stage.

All of the performances are free, but donations to the Band Boosters are encouraged.

“We ask for a donation to help support the program, but there’s just a request for a donation. All the performances are free,” Slabaugh said.