Six RMHS Choir groups will perform in the annual Winter Songfest on Wednesday, December 11th in the Endslow Performing Arts Center, singing a variety of festive and celebratory songs to spread joy during the holiday season.
The free event will include performances by the Select Choir, Mixed Choir, Crescendudes, RMHS Singers, Fermata Nowhere, and Harmonium. Beginning at 7:00 p.m., each group will perform for about fifteen minutes, singing about three songs each. The concert will be organized by the new RMHS Choir Director Mr. Mullen, who brings a fresh twist on the event compared to previous years. Interviews with multiple choir members revealed their excitement for the return of old traditions and sharing their music.
Ryla Demers (‘25) has been a member of the RMHS Fermata group since her junior year, and being a senior, has taken on the role of Fermata Director. At the concert, each group will sing different songs, ranging genres from classical to pop and everything in between. On the Fermata group’s performance, Demers stated, “We will be singing ‘Vuelie’ from the movie Frozen, ‘Angel Eyes’ by ABBA, and ‘Not Strong Enough’ by boygenius.” Although her group will not be performing any songs directly related to the holidays, she noted that the Select Choir will be performing Silent Night, a song often associated with Christmas.
Each group has been working extremely hard to perfect their performances. Demers mentioned that the Fermata group has been practicing these pieces since early September in order to be fully prepared for the concert. Under new leadership from Mr. Mullen this year, Demers mentioned that there have been some changes in all of the choir groups. “I think that the vibes and the dynamics of the choir have been a little different so far this year. I think the level of difficulty of our songs is a little easier for this first concert, but I think that will change going into the spring concert. I think we’ll have some harder songs as us and this new director get to know each other.” 
Quinn Synnott (‘25) is a member of the Select Choir, Cresendudes, and Harmonium. He also spoke on the new practices of Mr. Mullen in the classroom and how this has translated to the preparation of each of these songs. “He definitely values the classroom a little bit more than our last director did. We have quizzes and homework assignments, which is definitely new for us in choir, and we are definitely getting used to it. We focus a little bit more on sight reading and rhythms instead of the music itself, but it’s definitely providing a good foundation for us for the future of learning different songs.” This will translate to the concert as students have been able to learn more about the songs and their notes, allowing them to perfect the musical patterns for the performance.
At the concert, Synnott is most excited to perform the piece “Let the River Run,” which the Select Choir performs at every concert so that the alumni can come back and sing along with them. Aside from the change in classroom preparation for these performances, the Winter Songfest should not be very different from last year in its operations, and Synnott is excited to get on the stage and bring back some old traditions.
Sophia Prato (‘27) is a first-year Mixed Choir member, and she is anxiously awaiting the upcoming Winter Songfest. The Mixed Choir is more of an introductory level group, and will be performing the songs “12 Days After Christmas,” “Hallelujah,” and “Seasons of Love.” Prato stated, “I am really excited to share the music we have learned over the course of this year with family and friends.” This sentiment is definitely shared by Prato, Synnott, and Demers alike.
With songs from different generations and genres, the concert appeals to all age groups. The concert will likely last around 90 minutes, and the talents to be showcased demonstrate the hard work, collaboration, and dedication of each of the groups. The many choir groups are looking forward to this long-awaited concert, and are very excited to share their pieces with family, friends, and many more on Wednesday.
