Graphic drawn by ABYAN ALI
The Malden High School Band succeeded in raising holiday spirits of students and staff alike by caroling from classroom to classroom in the days leading up to winter break, December 22nd and 23rd. Through sharing their musical talents in a setting outside their typical concert and sports game performances, the band created a new tradition of spreading merriment throughout the hallways.
Band Director Lauren Foley explained how band caroling was something her high school would do with a brass choir, “it’s something I’ve always thought about doing, but it wasn’t until November that I found someone who posted one for small ensembles that could be done with any instruments, with all the parts. I was like ‘yes, we can finally do it!’”
With Foley’s new discovery reigniting her interest in band caroling, senior Band President and Editor-in-Chief of Web and Mobile Jacob Fuentes, shared how the idea was also discussed at band officer meetings as a way to “become more present in the school culture and bring the holiday spirit into it in our own way, because we were inspired by the choir’s serenades.”
Thus, the caroling plan was set in motion as during the start of the last full week of school prior to winter break, Foley emailed a Google Form to MHS staff asking if they would like to request a carol to be performed in their classrooms. The form inquired what day, period, and carol the staff would like the band to play.
The carol options consisted of ten popular carols that the band were already familiar with, due to “our Christmas concert called A Christmas Festival, which is a big combination of commonly heard carols. Most of them we had heard before, but the arrangements weren’t as familiar,” Fuentes remarked.
Band members were excused from their classes, and small ensembles were formed to play beloved carols ranging from “Jingle Bells” to “Silent Night” during each period. Due to this being the first year the band caroled before break, students were surprised, yet delighted to see them perform in a different environment.
“I was shocked when the band came in, truthfully, I thought Mr. Healy was joking when he said the band was coming at the end of class to carol. I loved their performance, it really put everyone into the holiday spirit and was a great way to start winter break,” junior Isabella Pizziferri exclaimed.
Each ensemble group received warming welcomes in the classrooms they performed in, leaving students in awe of the unexpected visit. As word of the caroling circulated throughout the day, interest in carol requests increased and surpassed the original number of teachers signed up.
Caroling allowed band members to display their passion to perform in front of small audiences made up of their peers and teachers. “My favorite part of participating in caroling was seeing the smiles of both familiar and unfamiliar faces as they were able to listen to some of their favorite carols,” junior band member Anniyah Azhar added.
Foley highlighted how caroling also allowed the band to promote themselves and “introduce students to the band who maybe never had gone to a concert or didn’t have a band in middle school.”
For those inspired to involve themselves in the band and participate in such festivities, Foley reminds students that “we’re always happy to add people,” and to pick up an instrument after school if interested. Heeding the success of this year’s caroling, the band hopes to continue building on this new tradition and continue spreading holiday cheer for many seasons to come.
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