By Lori BODNAR

The holiday season has begun, which means festive music! For those who would like to enjoy some live holiday melodies, Crescenta Valley High School (CVHS) student musicians are performing an instrumental music concert on Dec. 8. The winter concert follows on the heels of the Feast of Light concert that was held on Friday, Dec. 1.

On Dec. 8, the CVHS symphony orchestra, conducted by music teacher Mathew Schick, will join the CVHS choir for a rendition of the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

“The first Feast of Lights was on Dec. 13, 1961,” said CVHS Principal Christine Benitez. “The auditorium was not built until the second semester of the first year of CV’s existence.”

On Dec. 8 the CVHS instrumental music groups will be hosting a winter concert from 7-10 p.m. Tickets for the CVHS instrumental music winter concert are $10 and can be purchased at the door with cash or Venmo. Over 250 CVHS student musicians will be performing at the CVHS instrumental music winter concert.

“This will be the 24^th year I’ve had the privilege of conducting the instrumental winter concert at CVHS,” said CVHS music director Matthew Schick. “All of our instrumental music groups will perform, including wind ensemble, string orchestra, jazz band, symphony orchestra, marching band, drum line and color guard.

“We will play a variety of pieces from ‘Shalom!’ a traditional Hebrew folk song, to the original orchestral arrangement of ‘The Nutcracker Suite.’ We will perform the Count Basie version of ‘Jingle Bells’ by the jazz band as well as a fun piece called ‘Five Ukrainians in a Bell Tower.’ The marching band will perform the two marches they played in the Montrose Christmas Parade, their field show ‘It Takes Two’ and a non-traditional ‘Sleigh Ride.’”

“We have been practicing music in class for the winter concert since Oct. 30,” continued Schick. “We had a fall concert, ‘Spooktacular,’ on Oct. 28, so they were able to get performance experience; however they will be performing all new music on Dec. 8. We use all proceeds from concert ticket sales to purchase new music, instruments and needed equipment.”

“The winter concert brings in the holiday spirit by performing familiar holiday and winter-themed music for all to enjoy,” added Schick. “The winter concert brings the community together. My hope is to provide an experience where people forget their daily routines, inconveniences and possible troubles, and get lost in the wonderful healing sounds of music to find the courage and hope to enjoy themselves in what can be a very stressful time. Our young musicians are remarkable and even though we expect parents and family members to attend our concerts, the community really needs to show up to witness these kids performing. They will not believe the level of talent and skill our musicians display. It will give them faith in today’s youth and put smiles on their faces.”

The CVHS instrumental music winter concert is on Dec. 8 at 7 p.m.