The auditorium was packed, leaving about thirty people standing in the back. Everyone patiently sat listening as “Medieval Gloria” began playing, and choir students started filing into the auditorium, filling the better part of the auditorium’s rows.

On Wednesday, December 11th, Select Ensemble, 7th and 8th Grade Chorus, 9th to 12th Grade Choirs, Women’s Chorus, Men’s Chorus, and Show Choir performed in the annual Holiday Concert. Erin Knepper directed the show with over twenty songs, and the show choir even had choreography with their two songs.

The Select Ensemble sang “Nutcracker Jingles,” “In the Bleak Midwinter,” and “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!.” During their third piece, they arranged a quartet including: Bella Dienes, Kevin Kurtz, Shawn Phillips, and Charli Smith. They also performed “A Christmas Pops Trio” later in the show following a 10-minute Intermission.

The 7th and 8th Grade Chorus began with “Bidi Bom” and “Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burnin’” both happy, upbeat songs. “In Winter” was a smooth, sustained song, and with ninety-one students, Knepper said it was more of a challenge for the students.

“We have had some growing pains…we call them our monster choir because there are so many of them [7th and 8th grade members],” Knepper told the audience during the show.

The 9th to 12th grade choirs sang five songs, finishing with “Hallelujah Chorus,” which included PAHS Choir alumni. For the first time ever, the choir sang with the PAHS Brass Quintet, which included Jenna Diem, Bella Dienes, Mason Johnston, Daniel Kunselman, and Mackenzie Martin. During the “Frozen Choral Suite”, students not only sang in Norse language but also stomping to the beat of the song. It was an immersive song that the students seemed excited to perform for the audience.

The Women’s Chorus performed “Under Winter Moon,” “Festal Gloria,” and “Merry Christmas Darling.” After the Women’s Chorus, the Men’s Chorus performed “Good King Wenceslas” and “White Christmas”. The Men’s Chorus even had a short skit to perform for the audience. They laid out a red carpet as Timmy Simmons walked onto the stage. They then proceeded to crown Simmons king.

“As my first decree,” Simmons said, “more people should join Women’s and Men’s Chorus.” Currently, there are seventeen students in Women’s Chorus and seven students in Men’s Chorus.

To finish the show, Show Choir performed “Once upon a December” and “Jingle-Bell Rock” with choreography, drawing an end to a music-filled evening.