As Christmas approached, the joyful holiday spirit on campus quickly spread to Mattison Auditorium. On Friday, December 13, parents, faculty, and students filled Mattison to enjoy the annual Holiday Concert, a show full of beautiful Christmas carols performed by Kent community members.  

The Concert Choir opened the show with songs “In the Stillness of Winter” by Victor C. Johnson and “A Swingin’ Christmas” arranged by Jay Althouse. These pieces captured both the tranquility and uplifting spirit of wintertime and also incorporated a small snippet of the famous carol “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and featured a heart-warming solo sung by Zhalyn Kabyken ’20. 

Afterward, the Concert Band, conducted by Dr. Bouldin, captured the audience’s attention with several mesmerizing pieces, such as “Oh, What Fun!,” “Do You Hear What I Hear,” “A Mad Russian’s Christmas,” and the well-known “American Bell Carol.” They were followed by the Violin Ensemble, consisting of six students. They performed a medley of traditional Christmas carols, ending their performance with the chorus of “Jingle Bells,” uniquely delivered by plucking the strings of their violins. 

The Chamber Choir then delivered resounding renditions of “Wexford Carol” and “Holy Night, Silent Night”. They were followed by the Flute Ensemble, accompanied by piano, bass, and drums. Both performances were different in genre and delivery but warmed the hearts of the audience nonetheless. The Kentones and Kentettes drew the audience in with an a capella version of “A Joyous Carol of the Bells” and the famous “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” 

The Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra ended the concert with several well-known pieces, such as “The Bells of Christmas” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” receiving enthusiastic applause from all. 

All the choirs and orchestras not only performed full-length famous traditional carols but also performed unique adaptations by bringing in an uplifting feel to the soft and dainty melodies. Joyful smiles were seen on the audience’s faces after the concert, and parents all gave an enthusiastic response. It was a night filled to the brim with Kent’s Christmas spirit.