Glenbard's holiday concerts a prove to special events
While towns light up Christmas trees, candy cane sales go through the reindeer-track covered roof and jolly old St. Nick awaits his day in the snow-blocked sun, Glenbard High School District 87's music departments prepare for another holiday tradition: a steady beat of concerts and performances that take students up to their winter break.
The concerts, typically the most highly attended performances of the year, all include at least some renditions of holiday music.
"The reason holiday concerts are a big deal is that they have a very broad appeal," said Glenbard East High School music department chairman Brian Shaw. "Most of the music we play might be familiar to some of our audience."
Shaw's students will perform tonight during a combination concert. The "all-hands-on-deck" performance will feature the school's band, choir and orchestra. The groups then will perform a combined piece at the end.
Shaw said parents and community members attend the shows because it gives them a chance to forget their problems and escape the holiday pressure, albeit briefly.
"To see the kids up there, working hard to spread the goodwill of the season, it's a nice thing," he said. "We rarely get the opportunity to sit down, be in the moment and just enjoy something."
But the performances are not just fun and games. They also give teachers a chance to evaluate students before they take a couple of weeks off for the holiday break.
Glenbard South band director and music department chairman Brian Dewald said the concerts are a valuable tool in teaching.
"It's like doing a big test before you leave for break," said Dewald, who has led the school's music department since 1994. "It's no different than having a final exam in math."
South students will perform its Holiday Orchestra Concert at 7:30 p.m. today in Glenbard South Auditorium. The school has presented a group of holiday concerts since before Dewald took over, he said.
In addition to its orchestra performance, the school's Holiday Band Concert will take place Dec. 17 and its Madrigal singers perform Dec. 18.
"Within the human nature, there's a desire to go to things like this" Dewald said.
Glenbard North's calendar includes a Holiday Band Concert on Thursday, Dec. 10, and a Holiday Chorale Concert on Dec. 15.
Like other Glenbard schools, West also has a winter concert scheduled.
"Because it's the holidays and everyone's lives are so busy, this is one moment they can find some peace," said Jonathan Walsh, Glenbard West's fine arts department chair and director of bands. "It's a great time to have some quiet time and listen to music and center oneself."
And the feelings around the holidays make the performances that much more appreciated.
"People leave this concert smiling more than any other one," Shaw said. "The holidays can give us a special feeling. 'Let it Snow' is still 'Let it Snow.' If they hear a great Sousa march, it may not have the emotional connection a holiday song will have with Grandma at age 7."
<p class="factboxheadblack">Glenbard North</p> <p class="breakhead">Glenbard North</p> <p class="News">• Holiday Band Concert, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at the school, 990 Kuhn Road, Carol Stream</p> <p class="News">• Holiday Chorale Concert, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15, at the school</p> <p class="breakhead">Glenbard South</p> <p class="News">• Holiday Orchestra Concert, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the school, 23W200 Butterfield Road, Glen Ellyn</p> <p class="News">• Holiday Band Concert, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at the school</p> <p class="News">• Madrigal Singers Concert, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18, Bobak's Signature Events at Seven Bridges, 6440 Double Eagle Drive, Woodridge</p> <p class="breakhead">Glenbard East</p> <p class="News">• Holiday Combo Concert, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the school, 1014 S. Main St., Lombard</p> <p class="News">• Madrigal and String Ensembles Concert, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15, at the school</p> <p class="breakhead">Glenbard West</p> <p class="News">Winter Music Festival, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the school, 670 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn</p> ne