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Mountain Star
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The student news site of Star Valley High School

Mountain Star
The student news site of Star Valley High School

Mountain Star
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SVHS Musicians Assist with Community Christmas Concert at Afton’s Ford Theater

Tayson Merritt, staff writer
January 2, 2025
Oboist Allen Goodman(left) and basoonist Tayson Merritt(right) play the song "Christmas Lullaby." The orchestra and choir only rehearsed together twice before the performance but had been separately rehearsing on Sundays for over month. After the concert double-basoonist Gabriel Matthews said, "It was a lot of fun playing Christmas music with the choir and was just an overall good experience."
Oboist Allen Goodman(left) and basoonist Tayson Merritt(right) play the song “Christmas Lullaby.” The orchestra and choir only rehearsed together twice before the performance but had been separately rehearsing on Sundays for over month. After the concert double-basoonist Gabriel Matthews said, “It was a lot of fun playing Christmas music with the choir and was just an overall good experience.”

The Salt River Symphony Chorus preformed their 2024 winter concert at the Ford Theater on December 2nd, 2024 with the volunteer help of local musicians and singers, including many from SVHS.

The theater did this as an attempt to bring some winter cheer into the community. The ensemble had a mix of all levels of playing skills who all wanted to play participate in the holiday effort. Along with the varying levels of skill, there was also a wide range of ages represented. The SVHS orchestra contributed 5 players to the effort.

The performance consisted of 8 songs: “Jingle Bells” arranged by Jack Gold and Marty Paich, “Somewhere In My Memory” arranged by Audrey Snyder involving only the choir, “Christmas Eve Sarajevo 12/24” arranged by Mark Brymer by the orchestra, “Sleigh Ride” arranged by Mark Brymer, “Christmas Lullaby” words and music by John Rutter with the band and Soloist James Arbizu—former SVHS orchestra teacher and one of the conductors, “Hurry Now to Bethlehem” words and music by John Rutter by the choir, “Festival of Carols” Arranged by Doug Wagner, and “Silent Night” arranged by Charity Williams—the other conductor—with a verse with crowd participation.

Organizers would like to extend thanks to the Town of Thayne, the Ford Theater, and “Jane Anderson. There are not enough words to express our love and gratitude. You will be missed.” The next performance from the Salt River Symphony Chorus will be April 13, 2025.

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