Ah, December. Just like that, the holiday season has crept upon us. Commence the decorating, shopping, and baking! Of course, one of the most essential parts of the holiday season is without a doubt the music. Luckily, whether you are a musician or just a member of the community, Pat-Med is not short of opportunities to partake in producing or just listening to music to put you in the holiday spirit. We are extremely fortunate to be a part of a community with the following upcoming festivities:

December 11th: Winter Concert #1-  To kick off the holiday season, the Concert Orchestra, Festival Chorus, and Concert Band will be performing their first concert of the school year with their most recent repertoire. Selections include “Let It Snow,” “Themes from the Moldau,” and “Air and Hornpipe from the Water Music Suite,” which will be performed by the Concert Orchestra; “Rhythm of Life,” “White Christmas,” and “I Hear Music,” which will be performed by the Festival Chorus; and “Flight of Valor,” “Novo Lenio,” and a selection from the Nutcracker Suite performed by the Concert Band. This concert is free and starts at 7:00 pm.

December 16th: Tri-M Nursing Home Caroling Trip- This is the second year in which members of Tri-M are invited to carol at a local nursing home to help bring cheer to residents. This trip is after school. Talk to Mr. Zarchy or Mr. Mahr for details.

December 17th: Music Department Airport Caroling Trip- This is an annual event in which student musicians are invited to come perform holiday tunes to welcome arrivals at the Macarthur Airport. This is a field trip during the school day. Ask your music teacher for details.

December 18th: Winter Concert #2-  Performing in their first concert of the school year are the String Ensemble, Choral Ensemble, and Wind Ensemble. Selections include Mozart’s “Symphony No. 29 in A Major,” Bach’s “Presto from Violin Concerto in G Minor,” and “Sleigh Ride,” for the String Ensemble;  “Christmas Medley,” arranged by Kirby Shaw, “Of Crows and Clusters,” and “A Boy and a Girl,” for the Choral Ensemble; “Danzon No.2,” “Take Off,” “O Magnum Mysterium,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” arranged by John Tatgenhorst, and “March Op. 99” for the Wind Ensemble. Finally, the night will end with a performance of “Valse Finale et Apotheose,” the finale to the Nutcracker suite, performed by both the string and wind ensembles. This concert is free to all spectators and starts at 7:00 pm.

December 20th: In-School Caroling: For several years now, the high school music department has set aside the Friday before Christmas vacation to allow students (and music teachers!) to go caroling: singing or playing holiday tunes to the rest of the school. Students perform in between periods, near the main office, between the gym and auditorium, or near the dean’s office. Students usually have the option of between 4-5 different periods. All student musicians are invited and encouraged to participate. More details to be announced. Speak with your music teacher for more information.

Can’t get enough of holiday music? The middle schools and elementary schools have also been preparing for their winter concerts, which are on the following dates, all of which are free and at 7:00 pm:

December 5th:

South Ocean’s 6th grade concert at Saxton Middle School

December 12th: 

Oregon’s 6th grade concert at the High School

Saxton’s 6th grade concert at Saxton Middle School

December 17th: 

Oregon’s 7th/8th grade concert the High School

South Ocean’s 7th/8th grade concert at Saxton Middle School

December 19th:

Saxton’s 7th/8th grade concert at Saxton Middle School

January 13th: 

Bay’s Winter Concert at Bay Elementary School

Barton’s Winter Concert at Saxton Middle School

January 15th:

Tremont’s Winter Concert at the High School

Canaan’s Winter Concert at Saxton Middle School

January 16th: 

River’s Winter Concert at River Elementary School

Eagle’s Winter Concert at the High School

Medford’s Winter COncert at Saxton Middle School

So, whether you’re a community member looking to support our musicians at their winter concerts or a student musician looking to partake in the various caroling activities, rest assured that the Patchogue-Medford school district is the place to be this holiday season.