On Wednesday night, family, friends and CHS staff filed into the school's auditorium for an evening of music inspired by the most festive time of the year.
Performances by Concert Chorus, Select Choir, Jazz Ensemble and Concert Band each included traditional holiday pieces, as well as some more modern tunes that showcased what the students have been working on all year.

The Concert Chorus, directed by Mrs. Lisa Masse began their performance with "Shalom Chaverim", a traditional Israeli melody featuring students Lillian Carley on flute and Richard Audette on drum.

Other selections included "For Unto Us A Child Is Born", "Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind", written by Shakespeare from his play As You Like It, and "Christmas Canon". The group also turned the recent pop hit, "Fireflies" by Owl City into a three-part harmony that entertained the audience, especially the younger members.

The second act was the Select Choir, the audition-only group directed by Mr. Brad DeGraide, that had a guest accompanist in Michaela Tracy, one of DeGraide's former students who now studies music at Harvard University.

The choir performed holiday classics like "Carol of the Bells", "Oh Holy Night" and "Do You Hear What I Hear", as well as the J.S. Bach arrangement, "Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light". An a capella version of "Lion Sleeps Tonight" was also performed, complete with verbal sound effects and swaying.

Up next was the Jazz Ensemble, a group directed by Mr. William Smith, that rehearses after school to achieve its professional sound. "Alright, Okay, You Win", "Hunk O' Junk Funk" and the medley, "Big Band Holiday" kept the crowd tapping their toes while seven soloists showcased their talents.

After a quick intermission where attendees could purchase baked goods and bottled water to support the Music Department, the 62-member Concert Band, also directed by Smith, took the stage to perform "We Need A Little Christmas", "Novena" and "A Royal Christmas".

The band wrapped up the evening with a rendition of the holiday classic, "Sleigh Ride", complete with a simulated horse whip sound, performed by an audience member who won the opportunity by entering a raffle before the show.