(VIDEO) WVHS vocal ensembles perform at Radio City Music Hall

Warwick Valley High School vocal ensembles enjoyed one of their favorite holiday traditions of the year, performing on the iconic stage at Radio City Music Hall as part of the Rockettes' Sounds of Christmas student showcase!

As part of the showcase, school choirs audition for the opportunity to be the "opening act" for the world famous Rockettes, singing before the curtains go up on performances of the popular Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Ensembles must perform five-minute, a capella holiday medleys. This year, the WVHS Meistersingers performed before the 11:00 am Spectacular, and a combined ensemble of the WVHS Bel Canto and Nova Voce choirs performed prior to the 2:00 pm Spectacular. Both shows were in front of sold-out audiences, with 50 students taking the stage at each performance. Their holiday-themed medleys were entirely student-arranged!

_{Watch video of both performances below this story!}

Prior to their November 25 performances, the singers prepared for weeks. WVHS choral director Noreen Hanson gave her musicians a challenge. She had them work from a catalog of traditional holilday carols and pop songs, from which they had to choose the tunes for their medleys. Then, they had to arrange them seamlessly into their final festive five-minute format. 

“The students do it all themselves,” said Ms. Hanson. “They arrange the music, then rehearse it and perform it. It’s an incredibly meaningful experience for them to stand on a stage that most people never get the chance to perform on.”

This is the Warwick Valley choral program's seventh appearance in the Sounds of Christmas program. The first was in 2018 and they have been a part of it every year except for the year it was cancelled by the covid pandemic. For the students who participated, the opportunity to perform at such a legendary venue was unforgettable... and a little surreal.

“Being on the stage and seeing everyone way down below you was really cool,” said Maddie Lijoi, an 11th grader. “Especially as a high school student, knowing that famous performers have been on that same stage; it’s amazing to say you got to be there too.”

Families who attended the shows met up with their performers afterward to spend the rest of the day together taking in the New York City holiday vibe, adding to the sense of celebration and community surrounding the event. Of course, the experience is always a wonderful bonding moment for the students.

“It’s a fun way to bring in the holiday season,” Ms. Hanson said. “The parents are there, the audience is so receptive and it’s a moment the students will remember for the rest of their lives.”

Local audiences have their annual opportunity to hear the high school’s talented vocal ensembles perform their holiday songs this week! The WVHS Chorus Winter Concert is Wednesday night, December 17, at 7:00 pm!

WVHS Meistersingers Perform at Radio City Music Hall

WVHS Bel Canto Choir Perform at Radio City Music Hall