This past Tuesday was the Hingham High School chorus’ annual winter concert. Led by director Joseph Young, the performance displayed the talents of all involved. The first song was a Macedonian song titled ‘Tatkovina’. This song featured a stellar accompaniment by John Gillig, the principal violin in the Hingham High School orchestra. The piece was also highlighted by a passionate solo performed by freshman Rosie Iaria. There was next a short French tune, ‘Dirait­on,’ which included mesmerizing harmonies. The Concert Chorale portion of the night concluded with the American folk song ‘How Can I Keep from Singing?’ which featured Kristine McLellan on flute.

The next segment of the night was performed by the Chamber Singers, an audition­-only group. The seven singers serenaded the audience with a rendition of ‘Ave Verum, op.65 no.1,’ a 19th century Latin song. Next came Men’s Chorus, another audition­-only division of the chorus. The men performed a Civil War tune. ‘Tenting Tonight’ added a somber note to the concert, relaying to the audience a feeling of loneliness and homesickness, surely felt by the soldiers who inspired and sang this ballad. The chorus counteracted this solemn song with a stellar cover of the timeless ‘You’re a Mean one, Mr. Grinch,’ featuring Chris Connelly on electric bass. The crowd was left with surprised smiles as the young men finished up their repertoíre.

Choral Spectrum performed next, and began with a Zulu folk song titled ‘Jabula Jesu,’ which was comprised of several different overlapping vocal parts. They next performed a different portion of ‘Ave Verum,’ and finished up with ‘Chindia,’ a Romanian dance song. Mixed Chorus concluded the evening with a trio of songs. They began with ‘Pregones del Altiplano,’ a South American market tune. Next, they performed a third Latin song, ‘Tantum Ergo’. They wrapped up with an uplifting and spirited selection.

The Mixed Chorus sang ‘N’kosi Sikelel’l Afrika,’ the Pan­African National Anthem. The audience gave a standing ovation to this and it was a powerful ending to the night. The 2015 HHS chorus winter concert was a huge success all around. From the freshmen to the seniors, the entire chorus displayed the fruits of their labor in an entertaining way. The energy of the night was invigorating, and the performances were well-­practiced.

Look forward to the return of the chorus in the spring!