The sounds of the season rang through the auditorium as the George Mason choir and band performed for friends and family during the annual winter concerts. Both the band and choir have been practicing for months and the concerts were a showcase for all their hard work and dedication.

Altogether, the choir, which is split into two different sections (Concert Choir and Chamber Singers), sang five festive songs, including “Let It Snow,” “Carol of the Bells,” and “Gaudete.”

“We have been practicing since the very beginning [of the year],” said Choir Director Amanda Hull. “I think [the concert] went really well and we put in good effort.”

The Mustang band, directed by Ms. Mary Jo West, performed on December 10 for nearly two hours through 18 songs, including crowd pleasers such as “A Heart’s Cry,” “I am the Doctor,” “Oxford Pointe,” and “Skyfall,” with vocals by Sabine Wills (senior).  

The band was split into five different groups consisting of the Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, GMHS Symphonic, and Contract Band.

“The band worked as a team and stuck together pretty well, but we could improve on our dynamics,” said percussionist Javier Caceres-Santibanez.

“I was extraordinarily happy with all of the ensembles,” West said. “Performing is a live art. It requires precision and committed practice to play well not only as individuals, but also as an ensemble.”

The chorus has a spring concert and a district assessment in March. The band also has a district assessment and the music department has a class trip to Atlanta.