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Music in Schools Initiative

All-City Honors Ensembles perform first ever Winter Concert

This past Saturday, the auditorium of Wilbur Cross HS was filled with holiday cheer, as well as audience cheers, as the All-City Honors Ensembles took the stage for their first ever Winter Concert.

Following the opening performance of "We Need A Little Christmas" by the Children's Choir, Lead Teacher Rubén Rodríguez '07MM welcomed the families in the audience, proclaiming that, "Today, your kids are not asking you for toys or presents, but rather, they are giving you the gift of music."

With a total of 180 students from 31 schools participating this year, the Ensembles split six ways: Children's Choir, Glee Club, Camerata, String Orchestra, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble. Each performed at least one piece, led by a combination of NHPS music teachers and Yale Teaching Artists. Three recent NHPS graduates and one current NHPS student also joined the staff as teaching interns.

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In addition to participating in the large ensembles, the band and orchestra students recently started rehearsing in chamber music groups. One of these new chamber groups, the All-City Honors Percussion Group (pictured right), made their performance debut at the concert, performing the body percussion piece "Rock Trap" by William Schinstine. More chamber groups will debut at the Ensembles' upcoming concerts on March 28 and May 30 at Sprague Hall.

Rehearsals for the All-City Honors Ensembles will continue starting January 10. Throughout the month of January, the Ensembles will also be accepting applications and conducting auditions for new members to join.