This weekend’s Candlelight Concert — the 82nd since 1940 — honored both its long and storied tradition, and kept it fresh and new.
The choral symphonic and jazz ensembles awed the full auditorium with their voices and musicianship. The program — from the traditional, lovely “Sing We Noel” through the stunning “Nutcracker Suite,” rousing “Jubilate Deo” and clever production number, to the powerful “Home Alone Suite” and rousing “Hallelujah Chorus” finale — was both proof that our town’s young artists are very alive, quite well (and superbly well-trained), and that even in times of uncertainty and division, all can be right in Westport.
Congratulations and thanks to all who made Candlelight possible: choral director Luke Rosenberg; orchestra directors Carrie Mascaro and Jeri Hockensmith; band director Phil Giampietro; townwide music and visual arts coordinator Steve Zimmerman — and of course all the teenage musicians, who gave us the gift of music.
And of course thanks to Lynn Untermeyer Miller, who captured all the magic of the show.
The stage …
… and the lobby …
… the welcoming musicians …
… the ubiquitous Alice Addicks …
… the “Sing We Noel” processional …
… the orchestra …
… in tune with each other …
… an intense gaze …
… the Jazz Combo plays “Frosty the Red-Nosed Christmas Tree” …
… and the vocal duet “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow” …
… and the music …
… and the production number, Don Rickenback’s original “Holiday Greeting Letter” …
… and another production number view …
… while Jeri Hockensmith (rear) introduces her Staples music department staff (from left) Carrie Moscaro, Luke Rosenberg, Nick Giampietro and Don Rickenback. (All photos/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
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Thank God the Library wasn’t in charge or they would have banned the Christmas music!
It was a stellar evening! I couldn’t believe the number of alumni who went on stage to sing the Hallelujah Chorus with the current students. That scene alone speaks volumes of what Westport has given all of us with its music programs. We started going to Candlelight when our oldest was an infant and we still go, long after they’ve all graduated. We were lucky enough to have two of our children participate in Staples’ music programs. Congratulations to the group of talented musicians and also to their dedicated and exceptional teachers!