The Tamaqua Sr. High School Music Department presented its’ annual “Holiday Music Program” on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at  the Tamaqua Area Auditorium. The event was originally scheduled for December 11, but was postponed due to snow.
The concert featured holiday selections presented by students in the Concert Choir, Jazz Chorale, Sr. High Wind Ensemble, and the ‘Raider’ Concert Band.
The Wind Ensemble, featuring musicians from grades 9-12, opened the program with “Christmas Day” by Gustav Holst. They followed that with a partner song pairing of “Coventry Carol” with “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring” arranged by Calvin Custer.
The Concert Choir opened the vocal portion of the concert with “Shout Allelu” by Roger Emerson. They followed that with a selection entitled “Were You There on That Christmas Night” written by Natalie Sleeth. They then sang a Phillip Kern arrangement “Still the Holiest Night.” The first half of the program came to a close with the choir singing the pop selection “Where Are You Christmas” made famous by pop superstar Faith Hill.
The ‘Raider’ Concert Band opened the second half of the program with “Christmas Declaration” by Robert W. Smith. The program continued with “Fantasia on We Three Kings” arranged by Jack Bullock. The band completed their portion of the program with the LeRoy Anderson holiday classic “Sleigh Ride” and “Carol of the Bells”.
The Jazz & Concert Chorale closed the program beginning with “Caroling, Caroling” by Alfred Burt. A John Rutter holiday classic “Candlelight Carol” is next. An original Christmas spiritual “Follow That Star” by Brian Lewis featured the men of the chorale.  The Jazz Chorale closed their set with the timeless holiday classic “Baby It’s Cold Outside.”
The program concluded with the audience joining the band and choir for a festive sing-a-long.
Accompanists for the choirs were Sierra Petrucci, Faith Roberts and Patrick McMullen.
The ‘Raider’ Band and Sr. High Wind Ensemble are under the direction of Mark Beltz and the Concert Choir and Jazz Chorale are under the direction of John Buglio. Both stated their appreciation to the students, school district and all who supported the event.
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