In The News: 'Tis the season for holiday music

Written by: Seth Gordon, Newberg Graphic 

Newberg High School's Vocal Point and symphonic choirs kicked off a busy three-week period of concerts by performing at the Grotto in Portland Nov. 29

The holiday performance season is in full swing in Newberg, but there is plenty more to come before school lets out for winter break after Dec. 16.

Newberg High School's Vocal Point and symphonic choirs, for example, kicked off a busy three-week period of concerts by performing at the Grotto in Portland Nov. 29, but still have several more public performances lined up, as well as two school concerts.

"It's a great time of year when people enjoy hearing choir music and we enjoy giving it to them," NHS choir director Matthew Fletcher said.

Many NHS choir members performed Friday at Newberg's annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony and Vocal Point, the school's elite small ensemble group, also sang Saturday at Newberg Christian Church and Tuesday at the Newberg City Club.

In addition to participating in the Winter Choir Concert, which will feature all of the school's choirs performing winter-themed songs beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday, Vocal Point has entered the Figgy Pudding Caroling Contest and will perform at Pioneer Courthouse Square at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

"We're excited for the caroling competition," Fletcher said. "This is our the first time being a part of that and we have a chance to win $1,000, but we're mostly going for the experience of singing in Pioneer Square."

Fletcher says the choirs have enjoyed traveling around the region to perform and mixing up what they sing based on the venue.

At the Grotto, the Vocal Point and symphonic choirs sang slower, more serious music that took advantage of the great acoustics and they will take a similar approach at their upcoming performances at the state capitol rotunda at 1 p.m. Monday in Salem.

For events like the tree lighting, Fletcher opts for more upbeat music, like traditional carols and contemporary favorites, and has a special a cappella arrangement of "The 12 Days of Christmas" saved up for the caroling competition.

"The Grotto was fantastic this year," Fletcher said. "It's just beautiful and it sounded really beautiful. It's nice to do some more informal things and more intimate performances for small groups, too. You get to see the reactions on peoples' faces a little more."

The band and orchestra programs have also gotten into the spirit of the season and still have several concerts lined up as well.

The NHS band will host its annual winter concert at 7 p.m. Monday, with the Chehalem Valley Middle School orchestra and band teaming up with the Mountain View Middle School strings group for a holiday concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at CVMS. Mountain View's beginning and jazz bands will host their holiday performance at the same time.

Among the public schools, everything is leading up to the NHS Winter Gala Concert late next week. The fundraiser for the NHS Performing Arts department will begin with dinner and a silent auction at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 15 in the West Commons, with performances by the orchestra, symphonic choir, Vocal Point and the wind ensemble to follow at 7 p.m. in Drea Ferguson Auditorium.

Tickets for the event are $10 (includes dinner) and are available at the NHS front office.

The high school groups will also perform the show for elementary students at 10 a.m. Dec. 16.

"It's going to be an epic performance," Fletcher said.

Veritas and C.S. Lewis Academy also have holiday concerts on tap next week, beginning with the Vanguard at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at Bauman Auditorium at George Fox University.

The Watchmen will then present "Songs of Christmas" at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at Northside Community Church. The event will be the first time students from grades K-12 will be featured together in one show.