Instrumentalists and vocalists greeted the arrival of winter with a series of spirited performances at this year’s Lower School Winter Music Concert, held Dec. 1 at the Bucknall Theater. Music teacher Louis Hoffman led the Lower School Orchestra, which kicked off the concert with a rendition of Handel’s “La Rejouissance” and later offered a rollicking rendition of “Jingle Bell Rock.” The Lower School Jazz Ensemble, also directed by Hoffman, trotted out its versions of Sonny Rollins’ “St. Thomas” and “Mr. PC.”  The Toni Woodruff-conducted Lower School String Ensemble contributed a lovely medley of Beethoven pieces and a performance of “Joust” by Richard Meyer. Directed by Kellie Binney-Smart, the Bucknall Choir performed a series of seasonal tunes, including the Brenda Lee favorite “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”

As a special treat, the middle school’s Grade 6 Orchestra, directed by Dave Hart, and middle school vocal groups Vivace and Dynamics, directed by Maryloie Espinoza, made special appearances midway through the program.