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Updates from Upperclassmen by Hsa Paw

What would you do if you could communicate with people in any language without speaking actual words? Music can serve as a source of comfort and a way to send a message with or without words, which is why it’s considered the universal language. Music is a big part of the lives of the kids here at the high school, and with winter around the corner, the ALHS music department will be hosting their annual winter/holiday program. The concerts are set for the 11th and 18th of December, starting at 6:30 p.m. both on Monday nights. The pieces chosen by Suzanne Mauer, Rebekah Crissinger and Erik Zinter reflect the festive spirit of the holidays and the essence of winter. It’s a popular custom during this time of year to value the gift of giving, so all are invited to come and enjoy our gift for you. The students hope to bring the community together by spreading warmth and joy to the audience as they enjoy our performance.

One of the songs that the Tiger band, consisting of underclassmen, will be performing is, “Winter Wonderland.” This very well known Christmas song illustrates the delicate beauty of freshly fallen snow, blanketing the trees and ground as quality time is spent with a loved one. Making memories with the people we love or simply just being around them can easily lift our spirits up. However, even though most of us are typically able to spend time with the special people in our lives during the holidays, there’s still many who find themselves feeling alone.

Long distance, loose familial ties or not having family and friends during these times can account for why. Music, however, has the power to bring people together and alleviate loneliness.

I remember sharing a heartfelt conversation with an elderly lady I’d met last year while waiting to watch my church’s kids perform their Christmas play. This older woman expressed her loneliness during the holidays because her children had stopped visiting a while ago due to work and having to take care of their own families. Her husband had passed away a long time ago, and she spent her winters alone for seven years. When the play was finished, I saw her beaming with liveliness. She explained to me that watching the youth reminded her of her children, describing to me that it felt like her heart was basking in the warmth of the sun after spending all these cold winters alone. Even though the gift from these children was not tangible, it still left the woman touched and her heart full. We hope our music program can spread joy to all who attend.

The high school’s choir concert will follow a different program this year, where continuous music will be performed with no applause until the end. Chamber orchestra, jazz band and small ensembles will play in between songs to add a little variety. There will be three mass choir songs where all the choirs will merge to sing. This really gives a sense of unity, to allow the community to feel that impactful performance and see that it really is a time to come together as one.

“I hope that when they leave, they have a sense of joy and that the concert gets them excited for the holiday season,” said choir director Erik Zinter. As this concert is more holiday-themed, the choir director hopes that it presents the people with an opportunity to celebrate the holidays. “Silent Night” will be featured throughout the concert, and this song is actually sung in over 300 dialects and languages, by about 2 billion people across the world. This again comes to show that not only can music bring people together, but is also “spoken” worldwide.

It’s been taught to me at a young age by my band director Mrs. Mauer that music is the universal language, and during tough times, it can be our greatest inspiration and consolation. We hope that this December, you join us as we sing songs and play our instruments. A lot of the time, we associate presents with materialistic things. However, when it comes to the gifts that mean the most, we hope our gift of song and music will comfort you and spread joy. We hope to see you there!

Hsa Paw is a senior at Albert Lea High School.