Winter Concerts Set To Ring In The Season

12/11/2025

One thing to look forward to as the winter chill sets in? The warm, dulcet tones of Masters musicians performing at Winterlight and the Middle School Winter Concert.

Playing the clarinet is one way for Chamber Music student Dani Carias ’27 to express her voice, and the annual Winterlight Concert gives her the opportunity to shine the spotlight on her “hard work and emotions.”

“I am performing a clarinet sonata with piano, and it's my favorite because I truly believe that Camille Saint-Saëns (the French composer) wrote this piece with so much meaning,” Carias explained. “It's a piece that I believe represents me as a person: There is a soft, beautiful introduction, and it soon gets a little technical.”

This year’s Winterlight on December 14 showcases the talents of the School’s choral ensembles (Dobbs 16, Tower Singers, 1877: Vocal Edition), jazz/contemporary ensembles (1877: Band Edition, Contemporary Ensemble, Jazz Band), and classical instrumental ensembles (Chamber Music, String Ensemble).

String Ensemble and Chamber Music teacher Curt Ebersole noted that the afternoon showcase will include “a broad range of repertoire covering many styles and historical periods.”

String Ensemble violinist Phin Savage ’27 is looking forward to playing “Force of Nature.” Savage said, “The opportunity to perform with others is always great because it not only takes the pressure off me personally, but it is also an opportunity to collaborate and tell a story through music as a group, which is awesome.”

Music teacher Max Braunstein, who joined Masters this year, is excited about his first Winterlight. “The 1877: Band Edition is performing a mix of ’70s and ’80s rock, pop and funk tunes, and the Jazz Band is playing a blend of jazz standards, jazz rock fusion and Latin,” he shared. “Both ensembles have exceeded my expectations in terms of their personal growth, musicianship and sense of camaraderie.”

That spirit of collaboration and camaraderie resonates throughout the Department of Performing Arts. Jen Carnevale, chair of the department and director of Dobbs 16, enjoys “observing the student musical community all together, celebrating each other’s incredible work.”

The upper school Winterlight Concert will be held this Sunday, December 14, at 3:00 p.m. in Strayer Theater.

Meanwhile, Middle School Performing Arts Coordinator Katie Meadows is also proud of her students who are preparing for their annual winter concert on December 19. Grade-level choirs as well as middle school ensembles (JCLEF, the middle school jazz band, directed by Max Braunstein, and MastersSingers, directed by choral teacher Caitlin Adler) are waiting in the wings.

Meadows explained, “The students will perform selections from each grade-level choir that tie into their yearlong music curriculum. For example, the fifth grade class will sing to operatic selections as they work on composing an original puppet opera. There will also be a sprinkling of eight grade soloists as well as our traditional culminating round of ‘Now I Walk in Beauty,’ sung by current middle school students along with many Masters alumnae/i.”

The Middle School Winter Concert will take place on Friday, December 19, at 2:00 p.m., in Strayer Theater.