The JP Stevens High School Orchestra presented its Holiday Concert on December 5 in the JP Cafeteria. Under the direction of Dr. Brian Verdi and Mr. Justin Lee, the evening displayed the combined talents of the students in a celebration of the holiday season. Performances included the Concert Orchestra, Freshman Orchestra, Camerata, Chamber Orchestra, and several smaller groups.
The Concert Orchestra performed “Frosty the Snowman” by Nelson & Rollins and “American Landscape” by Soon Hee Newbold. The Cello Ensemble treated the audience to their performance of the traditional piece “Greensleeves,” arranged by J. Martin.
The Freshman Ensemble brought energy to the program with a performance of “Arioso” by J.S. Bach, arranged by Matt Naughtin. The Freshman Orchestra added to the festive spirit with “A Million Dreams” by Pasek & Paul, “The Little Drummer Boy,” arranged by B. Cerulli, and “Dramatic Essay” by Mark Williams.
Smaller groups, such as the Four Seasons String Quartet and the Bass Ensemble, also contributed to the evening’s program. Highlights included the quartet’s rendition of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and the ensemble’s performance of “We Three Kings.” The variety of pieces showed the depth of the talent of the music program.
The Camerata Orchestra played with spirit, performing Arcangelo Corelli’s “Concerto Grosso in D Major,” featuring Mercy Gundavarapu and Sumeet Sethi as violinists and Sebastian Vega on cello. Their rendition of the piece was a joy for the audience.
The Chamber Orchestra played traditional carols during the evening, including “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” arranged by Leroy Anderson, and “Deck the Halls” (M. Stearnmoller), which featured Roman Sadowski on piano and Nicholas Alcaide on drums.
Reflecting on the experience, junior cellist Anirudh Gangavarapu shared, “Preparing and performing at the concert is something I will truly never forget. Making music with friends and playing in front of an audience really showed what the music program at JP is all about.” Sophomore violinist Neha Thota added, “The concert was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the hard work and dedication that we put in as student musicians.”
Mr. Lee, co-director of the Orchestra, commended the students’ teamwork and dedication, stating, “I look forward to future events! Thanks to everyone involved and we truly appreciate your support and hard work!”
The Orchestra Holiday Concert was a testament to the dedication and passion that goes into the JP Stevens music program. The evening’s repertoire, from classical pieces to contemporary favorites, delighted the audience, leading in the holiday season. As Mr. Lee mentioned, the program looks forward to many more collaborative events that continue to highlight the incredible talents of its students.
