On December 18th, River Dell High School hosted its annual winter concert, which ended with resounding success. The band, concert choir, select choir, and Hawkapella all performed, with students moving seamlessly between these ensembles. For Ms. Dunleavy, who directed the concert for the first time, the event was a proud milestone.
“I was able to be hands-off for most of it, and the students seemed to have a lot of fun,” she said. “For my first concert, I am extremely happy and proud of the results.”
Despite the success, she noted a few areas for improvement to take into account for the future. One of the changes she had in mind was the need for shorter transitions between ensembles, which she aims to adjust for the spring concert.
Even though the concert was a success on the outside, it took a lot of preparation to create the performance. Students had to navigate logistical challenges, such as the band tuning on stage, choir members walking up and down the aisles, and remembering their placement when they entered the stage. Although this caused few problems, it highlighted the importance of preparation and coordination.
Regardless, students had been rehearsing since September, with additional sessions closer to the concert and even practice during class time the week of the performance.
L. Rodriguez, the student-elected concert band president, played a key leadership role in organizing the band and coordinating with Ms. Dunleavy. He helped organize the band, sent frequent emails, and kept everyone motivated as the winter concert approached. He was also involved in conducting and made his debut during the concert. “The band and choirs have been working extremely hard to piece together their music, and I couldn’t have been more excited for that to hit the stage,” he shared.
Overall, the 2025 Winter Concert highlighted the students’ talent, dedication, and collaboration under new leadership. Now, students and teachers are beginning to prepare for the spring concert. River Dell’s music program continues to prosper, proving that preparation and passion can create a memorable performance.
