Tuesday and Wednesday saw SJS host the annual, magical, Winter Concert. This whole school event reflects the spirit-filled and hardworking community that makes SJS so special. We are incredibly proud of all the student performers, and grateful to the staff and faculty who make this possible. Read on to relive the magic of the concert and see the photos from the event.
A Show to Remember
As family and friends arrived into the Gunn Gym, which had been festively decorated by the Parent Association Executive, they were welcomed by carols performed by our student musicians. The show then opened with Grade 1, 2 and 3, guided by student conductors Olivia M and Olivia H from Grade 5 as they performed a medley of songs from The Sound of Music. Harry and Chloe, both lifers at SJS, then welcomed the audience as the MCs, before introducing Honours Band who performed their own medley from the Polar Express, directed by Ms. Van Inwegen.
Junior Kindergarten made everyone smile with their song One Snowman, Two, directed by Ms. Zagoudakis. Music 8 followed with a rendition of Santa’s Holiday Favorites and Jingle Bells. Ms. Zagoudakis also led the Kindergarten classes in a performance of Winter Wiggles, filling the gym with plenty of giggles. Junior Choir performed Christmas Time is Here and Beautiful Day, under the direction of Ms. Tiffin.
Afterward, Strings performed Winter, featuring Ivy in Grade 10 as a soloist. Grade 11 student Miuccia Yang led the Grade 6 and 7 Dance Club as co-choreographer in their dance to Hot Chocolate from the movie adaptation of Polar Express.
This was followed by Intermediate Choir, Grades 4–7, performing Golden Hour and It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, and Senior Choir, Grades 8–12, who performed Winter Hymnal and Last Christmas. Jazz Band took to the stage to perform Rest Ye Merry Samba, Trad., arr. Paul Baker, directed by Ms. Van Ingewen.
Grade 4 and 5 performed Viva La Vida and Favourite One, complete with some elaborate choreography. Then Music 9, 10, Honours Band and Strings came together for a stunning performance of Dvořák New World Symphony 4th Movement. As is tradition in the 13 years of Winter Concerts, the students all came together to perform and sing Silent Night, featuring Emily M as our Kindergarten “secret weapon” this year.
We Couldn’t Do It Without You
This beautiful show would not be possible without the combined efforts of our hardworking faculty and staff. An immense thank you to Mr. Deans, Mr. Florencio, Ms. Tiffin, Ms. Zagoudakis, Ms. Van Inwegen and Ms. Falvey for their leadership throughout the creation, rehearsal process and production of the show. Thank you to Mr. Beaudoin and the students of Stagecraft for their professionalism and behind-the-scenes expertise. We also thank our Facilities team and Edu-Clean for coordinating the set up and takedown of the event.
This show, of course, would not happen without the support of the Athletics department for the use of the Gunn Gym over multiple days, and the SJS administration and Board of Governors for their ongoing support of the arts at SJS. We also want to say a special thank you to the Junior School faculty for supporting their students through the show, and Ms. Murphy for the design of the Winter Concert program.
The Winter Concert is also made possible by Annual Giving, which enables SJS to work with vendors including Vancouver Sound & Lighting and Showmax, whose equipment and support takes the show to a whole new level. It is thanks to your support that SJS can bring these elevated experiences to our students. Help create future opportunities by visiting sjs.ca/support/annual-giving.
We’ve compiled a gallery of photos from the event. See a few of the highlights below, or take a look at the full gallery on mySJS.
