Winter Concert Assembly: Sleigh Ride Around the World

The Winter Concert Assembly, Sleigh Ride Around the World, brought festive energy and cultural variety to IMSA’s auditorium on December 14, 2025. The program featured performances from multiple music ensembles, each presenting one piece inspired by traditions from around the world. Together, the performances created an engaging and well-paced assembly that highlighted the depth of IMSA’s music program.

The Concert Band opened the assembly with “Furaha”, an energetic piece that immediately captured the audience’s attention. Its bold rhythms and expressive style set an exciting tone for the rest of the program. The performance showcased the band’s versatility and strong ensemble coordination.

The Concert Choir followed with “Festival of Lights”, delivering a performance filled with rich harmonies and dynamic contrast. Their unified sound and controlled pacing added depth to the assembly. The piece created a thoughtful transition from the band’s energetic opening.

Next, the String Orchestra performed “Christmas in the Caribbean”, blending familiar holiday elements with rhythmic variation. The lively character of the piece brought warmth and movement to the program. It reinforced the concert’s global theme while keeping the audience engaged.

The Chamber Strings presented “Chanukkah”, a powerful and expressive performance marked by strong dynamics. Their precision and emotional intensity highlighted the ensemble’s skill. The piece added dramatic contrast and cultural diversity to the assembly.

The Chamber Choir performed “Veni, Veni Emmanuel”, creating a reflective moment in the program. Their balanced harmonies and steady tempo brought a sense of calm to the auditorium. This performance emphasized musical control and blend.

One of the most memorable moments came from the Combined Choir, which performed “Carol of the Bells”. Their synchronized voices and gradual build in intensity filled the space with energy. The dramatic performance earned enthusiastic applause from the audience.

The Symphonic Orchestra followed with a selection from The Nutcracker, adding a classic and elegant touch to the assembly. The familiar melody brought a sense of tradition and balance to the program. Their performance demonstrated musical clarity and precision.

The assembly concluded with the Wind Ensemble’s performance of “Sleigh Ride”. The fast-paced, playful piece energized the auditorium and had the audience fully engaged from start to finish. Its lively momentum and familiar themes made it a standout finale. The performance brought the assembly to an exciting close and left the school community buzzing with holiday spirit!