By Erica Chayes Wida, Staff Writer
‘Tis the season for Princeton High School’s beloved winter concerts. On Dec. 17 and Dec. 22, the choir welcomes its peers, alumni and the community to come enjoy works that invoke both a feeling of the holidays and Spain.
The choir is directed by Vincent Metallo, who has collaborated with institutions such as New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic and Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and toured internationally for more than 700 performances.
On Dec. 17, the choir will perform with a professional orchestra, Princeton Symphony Orchestra, at 4 and 7 p.m. at Richardson Auditorium on the Princeton University campus. This performance will include selections from the “Many Moods of Christmas” arrangements by Robert Shaw and Rodney Russell Bennet. The choir has been working on festive holiday selections for these performances.
On Dec. 22 at 8 p.m. the choir will host its 71st Winter Concert at the Princeton University Chapel. This concert will echo to the rafters as all of the high school’s five choirs, backed by its two orchestras, sing selections by Spanish composer Javier Busto.
Since 1962, the choir has had the opportunity to tour nationally and internationally — from Washington, D.C., to Vienna, Sweden, Russia, and France. In February, the choir plans to travel to Andalusia, Spain; the winter concert is in preparation for its tour.
In addition to Mr. Busto, the choir and orchestra will perform pieces from composers such as Gabriel Jackson, Dominick Argento, Johann Michael Haydn and Jacob Narverud.
When the concert sings the traditional pieces, the “Hallelujah Chorus” by G. F. Handel and “Break Forth, O Beauteous Heav’nly light,” by J.S. Bach, all PHS Choir alumni are welcome to join in singing.
For more information about the PHS Choir, visit phs.princetonk12.org/Choir. Tickets are available at the door.
