By Halle Fukawa
Copy Editor

This month featured Gabrielino High School’s winter music concerts. The choir performed in the Goodson Theater on Dec. 11 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. while the Gabrielino Eagle Marching Regiment (GEMR) along with the Advanced and Intermediate Orchestra played on Dec. 12 from 7 p.m. to 9.p.m.

Despite the hectic schedules, there was a large turnout for both concerts. The choir concert featured songs such as, “Peace, Peace,” “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” and “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” as well as an audience participation song, “Silent Night” and comedic skits by three accompanists.
“For me, [the best part is to see] the work that the students put in to get ready for the concert,” said David Pitts, Choral director. “At the beginning it’s a bit rough, but getting them out there and performing after all the work they’ve put in [was really special].”
For band and orchestra director Melissa Romero, this concert marked a new milestone as she featured four student conductors, three of which who were brand new.
“I’ve kind of handed the intermediate orchestra over to the students,” stated Romero. “I [did] have a bit of anxiety, but they [did] great.”
The orchestra played, “Bailas Para Orquestra” and “Fantasia On An Original Theme,” while the GEMR performed their 2019 Field Show “Trapped.”
“Since it’s my second year being a conductor, it’s been really fun to take on a leadership role [for this performance],” said junior Faith Chang. “It’s fun to make the orchestra move and come to life in the way I envisioned, and of course to work with the new conductors.”
For students like Junior Jack Chiou, the Winter Concert was an opportunity to enjoy the music of others and come together for one night.
“Getting to see all the groups play Christmas songs is a lot of fun,” said Chiou. “The Winter Concert allows a lot of different people to see the hard work we’ve put in all year.”
The concert takes on a new meaning for seniors as it was their last time performing at a Winter Concert for many of them. With all the holiday cheer and joy brought by their songs, students like senior Matthew Robledo, a four-year member of the choir, found the event bittersweet in the end.
“[I’m always] excited about the prospect that the audience was going to get something magical and joyful out of our performance,” Robledo said. “The holidays are about family, and we’ve really established a family in this choir. It’s ever-growing and ever-expanding, and I know [after graduation] I will always be welcomed back.”