By Ellie W. ’21

Happy Fall! Some of us love it, some of us hate it, but we can’t deny that it’s an exciting time at Winsor. The leaves are turning various shades of red, orange, and yellow and are falling, and there’s Spirit Week, UTL, fall plays, and the Fall Concert. It’s a time during which we can celebrate the non-academic parts of Winsor – sports and arts – which may be difficult to appreciate at such an academic institution as Winsor. For those who don’t participate in Winsor’s choral and orchestral groups, the Fall Concert is the first opportunity in the school year to engage with the rich music programs of Winsor.  And, since the Fall Concert isn’t connected to any specific holidays, it’s a time for the music groups to share a broad range of repertoire.

This year, the Fall Concert will be held at 10:05 AM on Wednesday, October 23 during assembly. Upper School Chorale, Small Chorus, and Senior Small will be the choral groups performing, and Lower School Chorus is still to be decided. For Winsor’s orchestral groups, the Upper School (Varsity) Chamber Orchestra will also be performing, and Lower School Orchestra is yet to be decided. Ms. Taillacq, choral director, has revealed that Chorale, Small Chorus, and Senior Small will be singing a wide variety of styles, “from classical romantic to 80’s pop to Gospel to Arabic music to Pentatonix a cappella featuring student soloists.” Students in Chorale are certainly humming some of these songs in the halls; maybe that can provide a clue to what Winsor’s choral groups will be performing at the concert. The Upper School Chamber Orchestra will perform an arrangement of “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen, the band’s most popular and innovative song that still holds a significant role in pop culture today. Ms. Rice, Director of Performing Arts and orchestra director, says, “[e]ach semester, I try to select one traditional classical piece … and one contemporary piece that I think students and audience members will enjoy.” This semester, “Bohemian Rhapsody” is the contemporary piece and “Academic Festival Overture” by Brahams is the classical piece, which the students are still working on. Members of the Upper School Chamber Orchestra have been working hard and are excited to present “Bohemian Rhapsody” to the school; Elly P. ’21 says that “getting to play ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is super interesting! Learning to play what’s printed on the page as opposed to what I think it should sound like based on the original song has been a challenge, but I’m really proud of the work we’ve all put in!”

All of Winsor’s music groups will be making their first appearances at the Fall Concert, and this occasion is especially momentous for members of Senior Small. Haley K. ’20, officer of Small Chorus, says that “I am so excited to debut this year’s Senior Small! I know so many people in the group have been looking forward to this very concert for their entire lives at Winsor, and we can’t wait to share our music with the community!” Senior Small is an iconic part of our school, and I’m almost certain that many people are excited for their first performance.

The Fall Concert is definitely not to miss (though you’re not allowed to miss it anyway). Students from all different grades will be coming together and performing music from very diverse styles. Music is central to life at Winsor, and I’m sure the Winsor community is excited to be able to celebrate that at the concert!