As winter arrives, Poly Prep’s creativity and community spirit shine brighter. This year’s Winter Festival promises to be an outstanding celebration of music, art, and talent, bringing together students of all grades in a heartwarming event. This event features seven distinct choir and visual art types from all classes in 6 different school locations. Whether you enjoy seeing great performances or just looking at the works of art on display, this annual event has something for everyone. The Winter Festival, first and foremost, celebrates our community visually and musically. Our talented vocal ensembles, from the Middle School Chorus to the Upper School Acapella Group, have been practicing for months to bring you a mix of classic holiday tunes, contemporary hits, and even a few surprise numbers. The excellent Choral Director and Music Programs Coordinator Vincent Iannelli, who some Upper School students refer to as “Mr. I,” runs the performing arts side. He teaches Advanced and Regular Concert Choir and the 7th and 8th-grade Tower Singers. Then, after school, he runs Young Singers for the 5th and 6th graders. The concert’s climax will be the performance of “Silent Night, Silent World,” a festive song in which our whole music department—choirs, bands, and soloists—will come together for a big finale that will have you tapping your feet and singing the melody long after the event is done. Iannelli expressed his excitement for the song “Silent Night, Silent World,” based on Dvorak’s Largo from the New World Symphony. The song Silent Night, Silent World, is unique in its style but still sounds festive. “Not only am I combining two choruses, but I’ve also asked many staff members to play instruments throughout the song,” explained Iannelli. “This night immediately puts you into the holiday spirit I love.” But the Winter Festival is about more than just music.
Our school’s visual arts program will also be in full swing, with students of all grade levels contributing to a stunning display of creative works. As you enter the school auditorium, you’ll be faced with walls filled with paintings, ceramics, sketches, photography, and other artistic expression by our talented students. From our younger students’ vibrant, abstract pieces to the complex and thought-provoking works of our upper-classman artists, the art show will be a true testament to the skill and imagination developed throughout the school year. Each piece exemplifies the artist’s vision, defining our community as creative and inclusive.
At its core, the Winter Festival celebrates our school community. Families, teachers, and students can celebrate their hard work throughout the first semester of school, which gives the school a way of expressing itself. It’s also an opportunity to meet with students, professors, and families in a fun, inviting setting.“All of the hard work is all so worth it,” said Sydney Macfarlane ’27, who will perform during the concert.
“It’s a night where you get to stay late with people in your class and people in the concert. You all warm up together, and you go on. ” Mark your calendars! The Winter Festival will occur on December 19 at 7 p.m. in the Chapel. Bring your family and friends to celebrate an evening of music, art, and school spirit. Come for the performances, stay for the art, and depart with a warm holiday spirit. Whether you’re searching for a fun way to start the season or just want to showcase your classmates’ remarkable talents, the Winter Festival is the event to attend this winter!
