Last Friday. December 10th, the Colton High Band and Choir put on a free Winter Concert at Grand Terrace High School’s Theater for all to enjoy. Their songs consisted of traditional Christmas songs from around the world, along with classic songs, but with exciting new twists.

For the evening’s program, choir opened the night with two songs, then Colton’s advanced concert band performed four.

Over 60 students in the choir dressed in festive Christmas hats to sing “Winter Lullaby,” composed by D. Farrell and Shelley Smith, and “All I Want for Christmas is You,” by Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff. Solos featured junior Vivian Guevara, and sophomores Natalie Diaz and Marcella McKinney on “All I Want for Christmas is You.”

Most of these students were new to choir and performances. Freshness aside, the crowd felt the Christmas spirit emanating from the stage, filling them like cups of hot cocoa on an especially chilly night. 

“Hearing the audience’s applause gave me the motivation to continue to better myself so that when the next upcoming performances arrive, I can sing to my heart’s content,” Natalie Diaz shared. “From the audience’s applause, I’m certain they enjoyed listening to our songs just as much as the choir enjoyed singing them”

The choir’s rousing performance set the stage for the band. 

“Christmas Around the World” was a medley of seven different songs featuring trumpet and trombone section leaders, Leilani Marquez and Marco Herrera. It was the band’s longest piece, and also a favorite amongst the crowd and band. 

“I think we did great. Definitely a lot of improvement,” Says clarinetist Adamaris Rodela. “’Christmas Around the World’ [is my favorite] because it showed a lot of traditional songs from around the world.”

“African Bell Carol” was a vibrant twist on the classic “Carol of the Bells” and highlighted percussionist section leader Aleczander Aguayo on the bongos. 

“God Rest Ye Little Drummer Boy” spotlighted the percussion section, who typically only play as support for the rest of the band.

And finally, the band performed “Snowfall,” a nontraditional Christmas song. The piece is meant to represent more the winter weather and snow than the novelty of the Christmas season. This performance featured junior Ashley Morales-Zuniga on the bells. 

As the show finished, wolf whistles and loud cheers filled Grand Terrace’s theater, giving holly jolly joy to all. As the final concert for 2021, it was extra special. The band and choir hope to do the same Winter Concert every year with the same deafening support from students’ families and friends. 

Anyone interested in supporting the band, contact Mr. Kenneth Taber via his school email about the Parent Booster Program.