Best School Concert of All Winter

This year the SMIC Winter Concert presented by the Elementary School began at eight in the morning and peaked at seven in the evening. While the middle high school students continued on in a regular day of classes, kindergarten and elementary students flocked to and from the big auditorium. The MHS students got to take a break afterschool for dinner, waiting in groups in the locker area for their delivery meals until it was time to change into their performance costumes. By 6 PM, the dark, fairly newly-renovated auditorium was already filled with an eager audience, bearing beautifully-designed programs handed out by ushers from Community Service Club. The hosts Sarah Lin (11A) and Andy Kim (11B) kicked off the night and brightly introduced each performance.

During the performances of the sixth-grade classes, students danced along to songs while the music videos played out on the big screen behind them. One class designed their own video to play out to “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri, showcasing a heartwarming slideshow of pictures of the students’ families. The seventh grade continued the tradition of the 2018 Winter Concert by acting out “The Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens in three acts. The audience was also treated to a demonstrated magic show by Kevin Guan (8A), famous for his accomplishments in competitions and winning awards for practicing magic. The entire eighth grade also came together in a hambone body percussion performance where they used their bodies as instruments. Vocal Band also had two separate performances, one playing a remix of “Nervous Energy” by Glades and “Closer” by the Chainsmokers, and the second one an acapella version of “That’s Christmas to Me” from Pentatonix. The Winter Concert always balances out these performances with classic instrumental music, and this year the Middle and High School orchestras performed famous pieces by Tchaikovsky from the Nutcracker, like “Dance of the Reed Flute,” “March,” and “Overture.”

SMIC-I Fantastic Teachers showing off their dance moves with matching costumes Courtesy of Ritthick KT (9B)

One of the last performances of the night was highly exciting as a group of teachers got up on stage and a classic began playing, “Dancing Queen” by ABBA. Dubbed on the program as “SMIC-I Fantastic Teachers,” all teachers were dancing in bright, metallic pants, and MHS Student Affairs Director Mr. Jones joined them onstage with a curly wig and a feather boa. Needless to say, the Christmas Concert ended with a bang.

All in all, it was a high energy night that parents and students and teachers alike enjoyed, thanks to the direction of Mrs. Jeannie Hooi. Everyone is looking forward to another one next year!

Featured Image- Poster of the 2019 Winter Concert Courtesy of Ms. Kristen San Antonio

by Sophia Shan