For 84 years, the Candlelight Concert has been the Staples High School music department’s gift to the town.
With its “Sing We Noel” processional, “Hallelujah Chorus” finale, and wondrous performances by the choirs, orchestras and bands, Candlelight is timeless.
Scores of musicians make Candlelight magic.
But there is always something new, too.
This year, it’s the debut of band leader Kevin Mazzarella. He joins veteran orchestra director Carrie Marasco, choral conductor Lauren Pine, and the rest of the outstanding Staples music department, in presenting the beloved holiday concert that is always fresh and exciting, yet also warmly traditional.
This year’s concert is Friday, December 13 (8 p.m.) and Saturday, December 14 (3 and 8 p.m.).
Tickets will be available to the public at 9 a.m. on Monday, November 25 (online at www.staplesmusic.org). There is a maximum of 4 tickets per order.
There is no charge for Candlelight tickets. However, donations to support the music program are graciously accepted.
(Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
This year’s Candlelight Concert features inspiring selections and familiar favorites.
Susato’s lively “La Morisque,” a brass and wind rendition from 16th-century Germany, leads seamlessly into the “Sing We Noel” processional.
The haunting “Sing We Noel” proessional. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
The full orchestra will highlight “March of the Toys” from “Babes in Toyland,” followed by the combined choral ensembles’ Liberian folk song “African Noel,” “Ave Maria,” and a vibrant arrangement of the Ashkenazic folk song “S’Vivon.”
Mazzarella’s band debut includes a stirring rendition of Aaron Copland’s “The Promise of Living” from “The Tender Land” — a hopeful, reflective close to the year — followed by the vibrant and dramatic “Bacchanale” by Saint-Saëns.
After Alan Silvestri’s “The Polar Express,” Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” provides a rousing and popular finale.
In the spirit of the season, the Staples Tri-M Music Honor Society will conduct a “CanDelight” canned food donation drive, to benefit the Homes for Hope food pantry. There will be collection bins in the auditorium lobby, before each concert.
Veteran Candlelight-goers know: Tickets sell out fast. Mark your calendar now for 9 a.m., November 25. And remember the website: www.staplesmusic.org.
This year’s Candlelight poster was designed by art and music student Connor Yuan.
Fabulous poster Connor ‼️🇺🇸
Any hope for a rebroadcast or live stream of the concert for those of us out if the area??
I belive it’s not allowed, due to copyright issues of some of the music.
I attended for the first time in many many years in 2021 and 2022, and I’m wondering when the programs began to feature ads.
In my day it was just a single sheet, with the program on one side and the personnel of the ensembles on the other.
I wonder how kids feel about having their parents call them out in ads. And I also wonder how kids whose parents do not pay for ads feel.
It sure is a different world.