Boothbay Region High School (BRHS) Singers and Band Ensemble performed a winter concert Thursday, Dec. 11 in the school’s auditorium. Directed by Dr. Mary Miller, the program offered seven songs by the chorus, followed by six songs performed by the band. Between the two sets, Sophia Mansfield and Frida Kirchhauser sang a Bruno Mars song, “When I Was Your Man” (2012). Kirchhauser played piano for the song. For all other chorus songs, Miller played piano.

The chorus began with “Linus and Lucy” (Guaraldi, 1964) arranged by Emerson, the beloved theme song from “Peanuts” and popular American jazz standard.From there, another “Peanuts” classic, “Christmas Time is Here” (Guaraldi, 1965) arranged by Zegree prepared the audience for the more serious pieces that followed. “Dry Your Tears, Afrika” (Williams, 1997) inspired by the Bernard Dadié poem by that name (1967) preceded Brunner’s “O Music” (2011), an open love letter to sound.

Miller’s teaching prowess was displayed during the upbeat “Antiphonal Alleluia” (Leavitt, 2011), a religious anthem, as she openly coached students during the song. The chorus’ ability to accept her guidance and adjust mid-song was impressive. The always-emotional Irish folk song “Danny Boy” (Old Irish Air, 2013) arranged by Knowles, was the group’s strongest performance of the night. Concluding the chorus, “Adeste Fideles,” a Latin hymn attributed to John Francis Wade from the mid-1700s, was arranged by Gilpin in 2006 as a modern adaptation of the centuries-old carol. Mansfield sang descant, caroling counter-melodies above the primary tune. The chorus consists of Rose Campbell, McKayla Fairservice, Chloe Joneth, Kirchhauser, Titan Lewis, Mansfield and Chau Nyuyen.

BRHS Pep Band opened its portion of the concert with the mood and excitement of the season: Four up-tempo songs arranged by Edmondson “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Let It Snow,” “’Twas the Concert Before Christmas” and “Anasazi,” got audience heads bopping. Kora McKenny propped up a slim drum unit, while Byron Hills dropped bassy notes on his tuba, juxtaposing Brady Baldwin’s clear, bright notes of the flute. Anthony Angelico, in his best performance to-date, was superb on xylophone and bells.

Foreshadowing the Spring musical, the band played Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” (1986) arranged by Sweeney, showcasing the instantly recognizable low brass, gothic drama of the iconic production. John Cooper and Abby Orchard on clarinets brought middle harmonic depth and a mood of mystery to the piece. Each section of the band was featured in the final song, “Carol of the Bells” (Leontovych, 1916) but Maggie Curtis lit up the marimba and both saxophones, alto Silas Kaler and tenor, Jayden Coulombe, shone brightly. Coulombe, down a finger from an accident, delivered unblended, low-pitched, powerful sounds that carried the melody for the song and his bandmates. Miller conducted.