“The most wonderful time of the year” can mean a multitude of things, depending on who you ask. For some, it means time spent with family and friends, taking delight in each other’s company and the looming anticipation of a well-deserved break from school. For others, it simply means swapping a pumpkin spice latte for a peppermint mocha and blasting Mariah Carey like no one’s there. But, for the Performing Arts Program, the fast-approaching holiday season means weeks of tireless run-throughs, finalizations, and dress rehearsals, all culminating in their Holiday Performances, the crescendo of a semester of hard work. Several of the performing arts departments, including the dance, choir, and instrumental programs, participate in this opportunity to showcase their talent and hard work, and all encourage students and families alike to show their support and holiday spirit by attending. 

Looking into the dance department, the Royals and the new Royalty are guided by Ms. Anethra Rhodes, the director of the dance program. Preparing for the performances is a rewarding yet challenging process that begins long before the weather turns chilly: choreography for the Royals and Royalty begins as early as July and August. Although this may seem like ample time, the dancers juggle numerous fall performances, leaving only one or two weeks to coordinate the show. “Tech week,” the final week of rehearsals, is the first time that all of the various dance groups, from the Royals to the Royalty to all other dance classes at Mitty, come together on stage. Ms. Rhodes remarks that “it’s the longest day in the world … but it’s also the most fun.” Her hope for the performance is simple yet heartwarming: “I want to bring joy.” For her dancers and the audience watching, Ms. Rhodes hopes to imbue the performances with the passion and happiness that define the holiday spirit.

The choir program, led by Ms. Simón, is also hard at work preparing a fresh set of repertoire to usher in the holiday spirit. The selections are unique every year, and this year the performance merges the familiar and the new. A few notable pieces include a movement from Handel’s iconic Messiah, as well as “Parranda”, a Puerto Rican Christmas caroling tradition celebrating the coming together of a community through singing. Students often begin by exploring the cultural background and stories of these pieces before bringing the notes to life. Ms. Simón hopes to spread the Christmas spirit through music and instill memories her students will cherish:

Under the direction of Mr. Kimont, the Schott Music Center becomes a North Pole of sound, ranging from familiar carols to jazzy takes on Christmas classics. December brings an array of instrumental performances from the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Orchestra, and Percussion Ensemble. The Wind Ensemble jumped into the Christmas spirit starting in August, making the December showcase the finale to months of rehearsal. On the other hand, Jazz Band makes a quick switch to the holiday season for their annual appearance at Christmas in the Park following multiple fall performances prior. Musician Olivia Park, who performs in both of these ensembles, reflects on the excitement and hard work of the musicians: “Every year, we spend a lot of time practicing and rehearsing, so if you have the time, we would really like it if people could come watch … and show support for the music department.” At the holiday concerts, musicians often deck out in Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and twinkling light-up headbands, adding an extra air of festivity to the music.

Beyond the excitement of new music and the anticipation of a wonderful performance to come, each of the directors hopes to impart positivity and learning in the process. Ms. Rhodes hopes to use the upcoming Royals performance to share with others the sense of community that she loves about her teams and the holidays. Along similar lines, Ms. Simón includes audience participation in the choir repertoire, believing that, “Everyone should get to join us at some point, singing Christmas carols and songs.” The Jazz Band also has a tradition of performing in front of the school on certain mornings to spread the Christmas spirit to students starting their day, another event to look forward to.

The performances are set for early December, and all Mitty students and families are invited to show support for the performances and stop by the holiday performances at Mitty or the Christmas in the Park showcase in downtown San Jose. The Mitty Performing Arts department is eager to share the joy, warmth, and community of the holiday season.