Cherry Hill East’s choir and orchestra performed at their winter concert on December 21, 2010 beginning at 7:30 p.m. The auditorium was packed as participants, parents, friends and other members of the community gathered together to witness the musical accomplishments, admission free of charge.
First to perform was the string orchestra, featuring two works of Mozart and “April” by Jeremy Woolstenhulme. East’s Madrigals – dressed in their customary Renaissance-era garb – then entertained the audience with selections from Gilpin, Palestrina and Pierpont.
Next up was Vocal Workshop, the entry-level choral group available to East students, with the pieces of Whelan, Younge and Belafonte. Belafonte’s “Turn the World Around” featured a series of clapping formations to accompany the vocals.
The Key of She followed Vocal Workshop. As East’s debut girls a cappella group, The Key of She delivered in regards to the audience’s high expectations, performing “Black and Gold” by Sam Sparro, “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen and “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by Ellie Greenwich. Despite technical difficulties, the group was able to recover and sing their hearts out.
Following The Key of She was Concert Choir, which performed a couple folk songs including “Erev Shel Shoshanim,” “Scarborough Fair,” and “Praise His Holy Name.”
Chansons then took center stage with their renditions of “Ciudrele,” “Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep,” and “Go Where I Send Thee!”
Following Chansons was East Singers, performing “All My Trials” with soloist Lara Abiona (’12), “Carrickfergus” with soloist Seanna McCall (’13) and “The Battle of Jericho” arr. Moses Hogan.
Then the symphony orchestra performed, as an interlude between the choral groups. The symphony orchestra performed “Sinfonia No. 3” and selections from “The Phantom of the Opera,” which was a crowd favorite.
Belles of East, which utilizes bells to enhance their overall sound, sang “Do You Hear What I Hear” by Regney & Shayne, “My Heart Will Go On (from Titanic)” arr. Arielle Sosland (’11) and “Santa Medley” arr. Danna Hickman.
Casual Harmony then stole the show with their renditions of “You’re a Mean One, Mister Grinch” arr. Chris Tess, featuring soloist Eli Goldberg (’11), “Fix You” by Coldplay and “Hey, Soul Sister” by Train, with soloist Griffin Back (’11).
A joint finale performance from the choirs and symphony orchestra of “The Messiah: Hallelujah!” and “Shalom” brought the concert to a close at 10:30 p.m.