Last Thursday, December 12, Nederland Middle Senior High School students' voices blended into a joyous winter choir concert that brought smiles to the faces of those attended. The songs were a brilliant mix of classical, traditional, and international pieces that highlighted the exceptional talent of music director Liz Evans.

The concert began with the 6th and 12th grade choirs singing “Deep in the Meadow.” Later they brought in the traditional melodies “The Water is Wide” and “Bring Me Little Water, Sylvie.” Our ambassador choir, the Loquations, as usual performed technical harmonies and difficult arrangements that turned out eloquent and effortless musical treats. They performed “By Woodsmoke and Oranges,” “Inimic autem,” “Alleluia, Laus et Gloria,” “Shalom,” “Pacem,” “Peace,” and a rousing modern tune, “Don't Stop the Music” with a sun-glassed solo by Luke Harrison, joined by Sam Churches, a senior swan song.

At the end of the concert Liz Evans announced that not only had the Nederland Music Program been named a semi-finalist National Grammy Signature School, it has also been selected for the Enterprise Award, which it had received in 2008, one of only three schools in the nation. This award category recognizes the efforts in music education made by schools that are economically underserved. Finalists will be announced March and will receive a monetary grant ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 to benefit the music program.

The concert ended with all of the students singing the traditional “Carol of the Bells,” which is a Ukrainian carol and a standing ovation for everyone on the stage.