The Winter Choir Concert

Bishop O'Connell Winter Chorus Concert 

Virginia Fontana ('26)

Starting November 1st, the Bishop O’Connell Chorus began to prepare the arrangements of songs for the annual Christmas concert on December 11. The O’Connell Chorus program features four ensembles, Women’s Camerata, Men’s Chorus, O’Connell Singers, and Chamber choir. Since their Halloween concert finished, the choirs have been rehearsing songs like “Veni, Emmanuel” (O’Connell Singers), “I Saw Three Ships” (Men’s choir), and “Let It Snow” (Chamber choir). All the ensembles have been rehearsing for weeks for their concert and were able to perform amazingly with St. Luke School choir and St. Michael Angelic choir. 

To better know how the O’Connell choir was preparing for the concert, this reporter interviewed Mrs. Prince, the Choral Director, via email to ask her how she was feeling this holiday season and about the concert songs and performers.

How are you feeling this Holiday season?

Mrs. Prince: So excited for the concert! The Christmas season is one of my favorite times because it's filled with nostalgic music and time with one another. The concert is sure to reflect that!

The concert showed a variety of songs, from Latin, pop, and traditional holiday songs, how were you able to mix all of the songs successfully?

Prince: I think it's important to demonstrate everything we can do as a choir- every genre.  Getting exposed to variety helps a choir be more versatile when it comes to performing.

Why did you choose these songs for the concert?

Prince:  I chose these particular songs because everyone is familiar with Christmas music.  I think listening to Christmas music during the season is good for the soul.

What is your favorite song that will be performed at the concert?

Prince: My favorite song for this concert is Ave Maris Stella because it is about the Blessed Mother.  It means "Hail Star of the Sea."

The O’Connell choir put on a great concert, with engaging choreography and vibrant energy. Members from the ensembles dressed in fun Christmas sweaters and showed lively Christmas spirits on stage. Freshmen Valentina McQuillan and Lucy McBride choreographed “Like It’s Christmas” for Women’s Camerata and Men’s choir to perform. Men’s choir later performed with O’Connell Singer’s to sing “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays” featuring soloists Kate Casstevens (‘25) and Liam Lake (‘27) and Jay DeVylder (‘26) beatboxing. Members from the ensembles dressed in fun Christmas sweaters and showed lively Christmas spirits on stage.

The concert also featured many talented carolers who sang in-between ensemble performances. Nikita Duncan (‘28) delivered a heartfelt and captivating solo of “On a Silent Night." Angelica Terpenning (‘28) sang “Do You Hear What I Hear?” with warmth and elegance to the melody. Finally, Junior Tianna Goode lit up the stage with her performance of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” setting the spirits high (part of her performance is posted on the choir's Instagram page @djo_chorus). 

On the instrumental side, Senior Lucas Fleck played the guitar during the Men’s choir's “I Saw Three Ships” performance and later during intermission next to the hot chocolate bar, supplied by choir members. In addition to Fleck on the guitar, seniors Lisa Zhao and Thomas Howell, and junior Kip Phillips are the piano accompanists for the choir ensembles. Lisa performs in O’Connell Singers and Chamber choir, while Kip performs with the Men’s Choir. 

At the end of the concert, the audience left with rejuvenated spirits, ready to celebrate the next few weeks with Christmas cheer.