The annual Winter Concert was a resounding success, bringing together students, parents and faculty for a heartwarming celebration of music, dance and festive spirit. With performances from students in every grade, the concert showcased incredible talent and hard work across all ages.
Each concert performance began with a stunning pre-show by the Honours Band, directed by Ms. Hanna Van Inwegen and Joanne Yiu, Grade 9. Their polished performance set the tone for what was to come, filling the gym with the sounds of holiday cheer.
Masters of Ceremony, Kiana Afshar and Coco Ji, welcomed the crowd with enthusiasm and introduced the acts throughout the concert. After the welcome address by Head of School, Mr. Blayne Addley, the concert kicked off with an adorable performance by the Junior Kindergarten singing Five Little Snowflakes.
The program featured a wide variety of performances that delighted the packed-out Gunn Gym audience. Students in Grades 1–3 performed a delightful collection of holiday songs including December Round the World and La Piñata, followed by Miracle of Lights which featured solo performances from Maddox Chan, Ethan Jie and Dennis Zou, and Kindergarten sang Must Be Santa.
The younger students weren’t the only ones showcasing their talent. The Music 8 students wowed with their winter medley, Music 10 performed the theme from Family Guy, while the Strings ensemble treated the audience to a beautiful rendition of Fiddler on the Roof and Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. Meanwhile, the Dance Club delivered a fun and lively performance to Pennies from Heaven, with their infectious energy lighting up the stage.
Music 9 and 10 students joined forces for a show-stopping performance of Nutcracker, with a dance solo by the talented Miuccia Yang, Grade 10, and the Senior Choir added a touch of magic with their harmonious versions of Snowman by Sia and the iconic Winter Wonderland.
The Junior Choir performed Mele Kalikimaka and Feliz Navidad, bringing a bit of tropical warmth to the chilly winter night. The Intermediate Choir followed with a beautiful rendition of Butterfly, while the Jazz Band played the dramatic and dynamic Libertango, featuring sax solos.
The concert came to a close with three fantastic performances. Grades 4 and 5 performed a fast-paced version of Hanukkah in Santa Monica and Percy the Puny Poinsettia with Ole Galadza and Audrey Carruthers in staring roles, and cameos from some of our faculty.
The penultimate performance was Diamonds, by all of Grades 1 to 5, featuring solos by Grade 2s Liberty Mai and Mira Sabharwa, and the concert concluded with the entire school joining together for a heartwarming performance of Silent Night, featuring an adorable solo by Kindergartener Senna Mai. A peaceful moment amidst the festive energy of the concert, before the closing remarks from our principals Ms. Brandy Stern and Ms. Valerie Little.
Thank Yous
A special thank you to all those who made the event possible, including the incredible efforts of faculty members, staff, volunteers and Stagecraft crew for the stage set-up, lighting, sound, decorations and of course the performance preparations.
Generous donations by SJS families through Annual Giving are what makes the Winter Concert possible each year, and this event is not only a showcase of student talent but also a reminder of the warmth, joy and community spirit that makes SJS so special.
See photos from this year’s concert and a recording of the whole show with thanks to the Stagecraft crew.
