NHS music department Fall Extravaganza

The music department at Niwot High School is thriving. Students have become involved in multiple ensembles and NHS music regularly does well at competitions, and groups find opportunities to travel.

One night a year, all three of the primary music departments come together to perform in their Fall Extravaganza concert where families and the community have the opportunity to experience a significant amount of the magnitude of music-based strength at Niwot. That night was held Wednesday, Oct. 16 in the NHS Auditorium.

"Fall Extravaganza is one of my favorite concerts," said Laura Walters, Choir Director at Niwot. "It is so meaningful... [each ensemble] all work so hard individually." Walters also spoke to how this opportunity also provides opportunities for groups who would not normally perform together to combine their numbers. "The singers love singing with 140+ singers and collaborating with the Jazz Band and Orchestra students," she added.

While not every single ensemble performs at the Fall Extravaganza, the groups that did perform included both of the Mariachi ensembles directed by Keynes Chen, all five choirs, a student-led, extra-curricular group, a small ensemble also directed by Chen, the Advanced Jazz Band under the direction of Wade Hendricks, and three more orchestra ensembles.

The concert drew a packed house to NHS with great enthusiasm and energy for the arts. While significant credit goes to the directors of the music groups, this event, as well as countless others held in the high school's auditorium, would not be possible without the efforts of Technical Theater Manager Jason Watkins and his stage crew.

If you missed this opportunity to hear the music groups at NHS perform, in December, there will be more opportunities to listen to the music and support the hours of dedication put in by students in the performing arts world.

A Musical Theater Revue will be held on Friday, Dec. 6, the Winter Choir Concert on Tuesday, Dec.10, Orchestra's "Symphony of the Solstice" concert on Wednesday, Dec. 11, and the "Evergreen" concert with both the symphonic and marching bands which annually invites the Advanced Band members from Sunset Middle School to participate, on Thursday, Dec. 12.