The winter concert is a staple showcase of the arts at John Carroll. It is without-a-doubt one of the most anticipated events of the season, with preparations beginning as early as the beginning of the school year.

The winter concert took place on December 9 and featured performances from Bella Voce, Patriettes, chorus, concert band, orchestra, jazz band, and rock band.
This year, Bella Voce returned again with their classic parody rendition of “The 12 Days of Christmas” and audience favorites “Go Tell It On the Mountain,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” and “White Christmas.”

Senior Bella Voce member Reagan McComas reflected on this being his last winter concert. “I think it’s definitely sad but really memorable, and I’m glad I get to spend my last year doing what I love the most with the people I love the most.” Reagan has been a Bella Voce member for four years, and his favorite song is “The 12 Days of Christmas.”

Patriettes, a newer all-female acapella group, returned again with their yearly performance of “Carol of the Bells” alongside “The First Noel,” “A Festive Madrigal,” and “O Magnum Mysterium.”

The chorus performed “Joy to the World,” “For Unto Us a Child is Born,” and “Et in Terra Pox,” accompanied by Senior Tom Chen on piano.

Senior chorus member Hannah Hamill said, “I had the best time ever, and I’m so sad it was my last winter concert.”

Hannah remarked that her favorite moment was “looking out into the audience, finishing the ‘12 Days of Christmas,’ and seeing everyone so happy and clapping and singing this iconic song that everybody loves.”

The concert band performed “Joyeux Noel” and “And He Shall Be Named Emmanuel.” The concert band includes a general variety of instruments from all groups, including percussion, wind instruments, brass, and strings.

Orchestra is solely stringed instruments such as violins and violas, and they played the songs “Christmas Day, Christmas Night,” “Somewhere in my Memory,” and “Snowy Mountain Holiday.” Afterwards, the orchestra and the concert band joined together to give the audience a wonderful performance of “Sleigh Ride.”

Jazz Band is one of JC’s after-school classes, and they did not disappoint with their performances of “Holiday Joy,” “All I Want for Christmas is You,” and “Big Noise from the North Pole.”

Junior Maya Millsape gave a solo vocal performance during “All I Want for Christmas is You.”
Finally, the rock band closed the night with their performances of upbeat songs such as “Everlong” by the Foo Fighters and “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers as well as Christmas classic “Jingle Bell Rock.”

Drummer Andrew Cox, commented, “I’m a little sad that it’s the last year, but I really enjoyed being a part of Rock Band, and I, hopefully, want to keep doing it in college” while newcomer and lead singer Michael Coale agreed and said, “I really enjoyed being a part of Rock Band this year”.

Director of Performing Arts Julie Parrish puts a lot of work into the winter concert each year with Band Director Casey Novak. Mrs. Parrish typically starts preparing after Opening Mass with the choral groups while Mrs. Novak begins prepping her groups after marching band season is over.

Mrs. Parrish commented that her favorite thing about the winter concert is “the opportunity to be able to showcase what we’ve been working on all semester and really see all of our hard work come to fruition.”