An Unforgettable Night of Music

On January 22, the Xaverian Brothers High School gymnasium emanated the sound of music as students from a variety of choral, string, and band ensembles took the stage at the annual winter concert. The FXD grade 7 string orchestra opened the program, sharing familiar tunes like “Jingle Bells” and Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.” Setting the tone for an evening of musical appreciation, the orchestra demonstrated a genuine interest in their music and a clear commitment to their craft. Soon after, the grade 8 string orchestra performed a rendition of “Tallis Canon,” followed by the grades 9–12 string orchestra’s performance of pieces like Handel’s “Water Music" and Mozart’s “Theme from the Magic Flute,” an audience favorite. 

Choral performances turned classic, technical pieces into contemporary, joyful compositions. The grade 7 chorus delivered a performance of “Once in Royal David’s City” with an incredible solo by Kolbe Peca, while the grade 8 chorus presented “Gaudete, Christus Est Natus,” embracing its festive spirit. The Xaverian choir’s performance of “Ubi Caritas” was deeply moving, and Schola Cantorum’s rendition of “If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments" paid homage to Renaissance composer Thomas Tallis. Several audience members mentioned that a highlight of the night was the X-Men, Xaverian’s student a cappella group, who had the crowd engaged with their takes on “I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys and Billy Joel's "The Longest Time.”

After an intermission, the gymnasium assumed a different tone, one which was more engaged and participatory. Xaverian’s jazz band began with a modern set featuring Wayne Shorter’s “Footprints” and Miles Davis’s “All Blues.” The contemporary music ensemble, named Dante’s Inferno, energized the crowd with U2’s “Beautiful Day” and Journey’s classic, “Don’t Stop Believin’,” a song most of the audience joined in on. Meanwhile, the grades 7 and 8 bands amazed the audience with a near-professional rendition of Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 9,” “Majestic March,” and “Latin Fire.”

Reflecting on the night, Namish Sapru ’26, a guitarist in the Xaverian jazz band, shared his thoughts on the concert: “All the ensembles sounded so cohesive. Being the leader of a jazz band and rock band, I was proud of the effort put in by my musicians —they sounded amazing, almost professional,” he said. “The audience was cheering and clapping along, and the energy was palpable.” 

Whether performing centuries-old compositions or modern hits, the musicians at Xaerian’s winter concert displayed both technical skill and a deep love for music, making for an unforgettable night of excellence and fun.