The Malad Middle and High School Bands and Choirs helped bring the Christmas spirit to town with their back-to-back concerts on Wednesday, December 11, in the high school gym. Directed by Foster Garrett with Lorna Hess Brignone accompanying the choirs, the bands and choirs performed holiday favorites and introduced some new songs.

The 6th Grade Choir sang a jazzy version of “The Night Before Christmas” and then donned sunglasses for “Santa Is the Man.”

The 7th Grade Choir sang a traditional Catalonian carol “El Noi de la Mare” followed by “Sing Me a Song about Christmas.”

The Beginning Band showed how much they have learned in a semester about playing their instruments with “Jingle Bells” and “The Friendly Beasts.”

The Intermediate Band performed “Kings from the East” and “Tango Bells” while high school teachers Gabe Cobabe and Jarek Crossley wandered through the crowd dressed to portray “Santa the Barbarian” and handing out candy canes.

After a short break to allow for the change from Middle to High School, the Concert Band opened with “Ode to Greensleeves,” followed by “African Holy Night,” featuring Jens Huckaby on African drums. With soloists Jens Huckaby on trumpet and Mary Zabriskie on alto saxophone, the band performed “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep” from “White Christmas,” reminding everyone of the recent youth production of that 1954 musical. The band concluded with “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”

The High School Choir sang four numbers, beginning with “The Star Carol,” followed by the very difficult “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” “Sing We Now Rejoice,” and “The Snow is Falling.”

The Chamber Choir concluded the concert with “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen,” “Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella,” “A Winter Morning,” and “The Holly and the Ivy.”

The concerts served as a fund raiser for the school music departments as attendees could bid on baskets donated by individuals, families, and local businesses. The names of winners were announced at the conclusion of the concert.