Nearly 500 students to perform at St. Charles North's Constellation Concert
It's a holiday show so big that it's almost out of this world.
On Thursday, Dec. 16, nearly 500 student superstars will showcase their musical talents at St. Charles North High School's annual Constellation Concert.
Two shows, at 6:30 and 8:15 p.m., will be held in the St. Charles North auditorium, 255 Red Gate Road, St. Charles. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students.
The Constellation Concert features performances by 24 different musical groups at St. Charles North, including the madrigal singers, a handbell choir, brass ensemble, and the men's and women's choirs.
Several different stages will be set up around the auditorium so that as soon as one group is done performing their pieces, another group can immediately start their act. This setup also ensures that every audience member gets a chance to have the best seat in the house.
“We try to make sure that every area of the house is getting some of the entertainment. This is an epic concert and it runs pretty smoothly. We've got it down pretty well,” said Dale Morgan, St. Charles North choir director.
“What (the Constellation Concert) does is it showcases all our students in our entire (music) program and all the special things that they do.”
Each ensemble will perform about two different pieces before the next group takes to their stage. Every year the music faculty makes an effort to pick different songs for the students to perform.
“The only thing we do the same every year is the finale. Everyone comes out and performs “Jingle Bell Rock” and all the aisles and spaces are filled with kids singing … It's a really outstanding evening,” Morgan said.
This year's show will feature holiday favorites like “Carol of the Bells” and “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies.”
For the music faculty at St. Charles North, the Constellation Concert provides an excellent opportunity for parents and community members to see the school's entire music curriculum in action.
“At this time of year it's just a perfect time to really showcase the entire (music) department,” said Brian Wis, lead art and music teacher at North. “This way all the families, all the community members get an idea of what the music department here can do. It provides a great chance to really just hear the entire department's efforts.”
According to Wis, the students seem to love it too.
“It's a very involved department,” he said. “We've got a lot of great students who just love to make music. It's one of their favorite times of year because they know so many people are going to watch them perform.
“Everyone looks forward to this concert series because it's the right time of year; it's festive music.
“Anytime you can perform in front of almost 2,000 people that's pretty awesome,” Wis said.
If you go
What: St. Charles North High School's annual Constellation Concert, a holiday musical event featuring 24 of the school's performing ensembles
When: Shows are at 6:30 and 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16
Where: St. Charles North Auditorium, 255 Red Gate Road, St. Charles
How much? $7 for adults and $5 for students
Call: (630) 443-5700