Joy to the World! Holiday Collage Concert

The Holiday spirit was out in full force for our 2019 Holiday Collage Concert!

Joy to the World! Holiday Collage Concert. December 10, 2019, 8:00pm at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. Photo by Britt Conley

The evening began with The Northern Virginia Sax Quartet performing carols in the lobby.

The Northern Virginia Sax Quartet perform carols in the lobby, prior to the Joy to the World! Holiday Collage Concert. December 10, 2019, 8:00pm at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. Photo by Britt Conley

A lovely beginning to  a festive evening.

The main concert hall showcased the NOVA Community Chorus, The NOVA Nighthawks Jazz Ensemble and the NOVA Alexandria Band.

The Chorus fired up the main concert with Personent Hodie, accompanied by a brass and percussion ensemble featuring Isabella Lowe & Josh Menez, trumpets; Margaret Forman, French horn; Ameer Yaqoob, trombone; Cristian Condor, tuba;  and Tyler Brantley and Mayson Rangel on Percussion.

The Northern Virginia Sax Quartet perform carols in the lobby, prior to the Joy to the World! Holiday Collage Concert. December 10, 2019, 8:00pm at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. Photo by Britt Conley

Tonight was bittersweet, since it was the final concert for Choral Director, Jessica Irish.  She has had a truly memorable time with the Chorus this past semester and we were lucky to have her!

The Northern Virginia Sax Quartet perform carols in the lobby, prior to the Joy to the World! Holiday Collage Concert. December 10, 2019, 8:00pm at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. Photo by Britt Conley

The Chorus  followed with There Shall a Star (from “Christus”) by Felix Mendelssohn. and Winter’s Peace highlighting the Semi-Chorus: Halina Banas-Jones, Alan Bunner, Sarah Calvino, Larry Goldschmidt, Diane Halvorsen, Lock Handley, Laura Hanson,  Jane Michaels, Casey Stucliffe and Neo Upod.

The Northern Virginia Sax Quartet perform carols in the lobby, prior to the Joy to the World! Holiday Collage Concert. December 10, 2019, 8:00pm at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. Photo by Britt Conley

Chorus fans rejoiced after Ding, Dong! Merrily on High! featuring Jane Tavernier, second accompanist for four-hand piano and Mayson Ragel on chimes.

The Northern Virginia Sax Quartet perform carols in the lobby, prior to the Joy to the World! Holiday Collage Concert. December 10, 2019, 8:00pm at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. Photo by Britt Conley

Meanwhile The NOVA Nighthawks Jazz Ensemble were gearing up for their holiday extravaganza! They performed four works, beginning with The Little Drummer Boy…

The Northern Virginia Sax Quartet perform carols in the lobby, prior to the Joy to the World! Holiday Collage Concert. December 10, 2019, 8:00pm at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. Photo by Britt Conley

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,

The Northern Virginia Sax Quartet perform carols in the lobby, prior to the Joy to the World! Holiday Collage Concert. December 10, 2019, 8:00pm at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. Photo by Britt Conley
The Northern Virginia Sax Quartet perform carols in the lobby, prior to the Joy to the World! Holiday Collage Concert. December 10, 2019, 8:00pm at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. Photo by Britt Conley

The set ended with Greensleeves (What Child is This?) and Comfort and Joy.

A special intermission, shout out to those who came to the concert including our wonderful students, the community and friends and families!

The Northern Virginia Sax Quartet perform carols in the lobby, prior to the Joy to the World! Holiday Collage Concert. December 10, 2019, 8:00pm at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. Photo by Britt Conley
The Northern Virginia Sax Quartet perform carols in the lobby, prior to the Joy to the World! Holiday Collage Concert. December 10, 2019, 8:00pm at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. Photo by Britt Conley
The Northern Virginia Sax Quartet perform carols in the lobby, prior to the Joy to the World! Holiday Collage Concert. December 10, 2019, 8:00pm at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. Photo by Britt Conley

The final half of the concert featured the NOVA Alexandria Band! performing A Christmas Fantasy, Gloria, Away in a Manger, Dreidel Dance and Sleight Ride….

The Northern Virginia Sax Quartet perform carols in the lobby, prior to the Joy to the World! Holiday Collage Concert. December 10, 2019, 8:00pm at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. Photo by Britt Conley

Harpist Brian Stevenson, out quest artist for the evening stole the show and beautifully filled the hall with the lush sounds of strings.

The Northern Virginia Sax Quartet perform carols in the lobby, prior to the Joy to the World! Holiday Collage Concert. December 10, 2019, 8:00pm at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. Photo by Britt Conley

I personally adore the hat’s so many band member adorn each holiday for the concert.

Joy to the World! Holiday Collage Concert. December 10, 2019, 8:00pm at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. Photo by Britt Conley

Best hat of the night?  Well, I think it’s obvious!

The Northern Virginia Sax Quartet perform carols in the lobby, prior to the Joy to the World! Holiday Collage Concert. December 10, 2019, 8:00pm at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. Photo by Britt Conley

This year’s concert was dedicated to our NOVA students and families.  We wanted to thank them for their sacrifices to make it through school and onto the next chapter in the lives.  To help give back to them, we held a free ticketed give-a-way for NOVA students.  The prizes included: a $50. gift certificate to Ristorante Il Porto in Old Town Alexandria, a $50. gift certificate to Faccia Luna, also in Old Town Alexandria, a 15% off certificate to the Barnes’ and Noble Book Store and two bags of NOVA merchandise from Student Life!!!!

The Northern Virginia Sax Quartet perform carols in the lobby, prior to the Joy to the World! Holiday Collage Concert. December 10, 2019, 8:00pm at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. Photo by Britt Conley

Our excited winners had some great prizes!

The Northern Virginia Sax Quartet perform carols in the lobby, prior to the Joy to the World! Holiday Collage Concert. December 10, 2019, 8:00pm at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. Photo by Britt Conley

It was nice to see so many happy faces!

The Northern Virginia Sax Quartet perform carols in the lobby, prior to the Joy to the World! Holiday Collage Concert. December 10, 2019, 8:00pm at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. Photo by Britt Conley

The Band’s final piece of the night was an audience singalong featuring Joy to the World, It Came Upon and Midnight Clear and Adeste Fidelis (O come all ye faithful)

The evening ended with a huge round of applause for the Band, the audience, the NOVA Nighthawks and The Chorus!!!!  What a fun-filled evening.

The Northern Virginia Sax Quartet perform carols in the lobby, prior to the Joy to the World! Holiday Collage Concert. December 10, 2019, 8:00pm at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. Photo by Britt Conley

Let’s hear for the Music Department’s 2019′, done well!!!! Happy Holidays everyone and Happy New Year!!!!!

Please come to our next concerts, this Spring!

In our AFA- building in room 118, (our recital hall) we Dmitri Steinberg coming at 7:30pm  on Tuesday February 12th.

February 27th is the famed Children’s Concert for families and the community.  A lot of fun!  The Rachel M. Schlesinger Hall.

March 11th is the next Chorus Concert at The Rachel M. Schlesinger Hall.

5pm on April 15th in the AFA building 118 recital hall will be District 5 Wind Quintet.

and finally… The big Spring Concert feauturing All of the NOVA Ensembles will be at 7:30, may 8th at The Rachel M. Schlesinger Hall!