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NUHS holiday concert brings back musical Christmas tradition

NUHS choir director Daniel Olson conducts the Oak Street Singers in a performance of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” to open the high school’s holiday choir and band concert Monday.

NEW ULM – All six of New Ulm High School’s bands and choirs appeared on stage for the school’s holiday band and choir concert Monday.

The school’s choirs and bands each took turns on stage, playing selections of Christmas music.

The Oak Street Singers were the first to take the stage with each student dressed in Victorian era clothing. The Oak Street Singers performed arrangements of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “The First Noel,” “White Winter Hymnal” and “Carol of the Bells.”

NUHS’ boys choir, Men of Note, sang two selections, “Do You Hear What I Hear?” and “Deck the Hall.”

NUHS’ girls choir, Bel Canto, followed with performances of “I Saw Three Ships” and “A Light Inside.”

The New Ulm High School (NUHS) Jazz Band, led by band director Philip Claussen, performed three songs during the school’s holiday concert Monday. The Jazz band opened with an arrangement of “Frosty the Snowman” followed by “Christmas Time is Here” and a “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”

The Jazz Band gave instrumental performances of “Frosty the Snowman,” “Christmas Time is Here” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” NUHS director Philip Claussen provided backup on the guitar during the Jazz Band performance.

The school’s Concert Choir performed a Nigerian Christmas song called “Betelehemu” followed by “Merrily On High” and “Sleigh Ride.”

The Concert Band performed less well-known Christmas songs, including “Coventry Groove,” “Elfnapped,” “My Favorite Things”, and “A Winter’s Journey.”

For the final song of the night, choir director Daniel Olson brought back a former school tradition. He invited all NUHS chorus alumni attending the concert to come on stage to join the school’s current chorus. Past and present NUHS choir members stood together to form the Alumni Chorus. Together the Alumni Chorus sang the Hallelujah Chorus from George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah,” which received a standing ovation from the audience.

Alyson Leslie gives a saxophone solo during the NUHS Jazz Band’s performance of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas, during the school’s band and choir concert.

NUHS Choir director Daniel Olson conducts the Concert Choir during the school Christmas performance.

Sophie Berger jumps into her cue, playing the whip instrument during the NUHS Concert Choir performance of “Sleight Ride.”

Everett Brown with the NUHS Concert Choir gives a solo during a performance of “Betelehemu,” a Nigerian Christmas song.

The New Ulm High School (NUHS) holiday band and choir concert concluded with a performance of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s “Messiah.” For the final performance NUHS choir alumni in the audience were invited on stage to join the current student concert choir.

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