At 7:30 p.m. on November 12, the Peddie Fall Music Concert showcased the incredible talents of each musician in Ding Music Hall. The music demonstrated the performers’ perseverance and passion while highlighting Peddie’s dedication to nurturing musicians. A huge thank you to Mr. Michaels for orchestrating (see what I did there) the event!
The concert began with a bang with Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter – Bringer of Jollity,” from “The Planets.” Arranged by Vernon Leidig, the piece immediately captured everyone’s attention with differing dynamics. The Peddie Singers brought a playful energy to the concert with their performance of “Sh-Boom,” adding a touch of nostalgia. The audience was then immediately transported to the Baroque period during Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto,” with principal musicians playing beautiful melodies.
The Treblemakers then offered a heartfelt moment when singing “You Are The New Day” by John David. The Percussion Ensemble crushed the difficult rhythms of Amadeo Roldan’s “Ritmica No. 5.” Then, the Chamber Orchestra performed Puccini’s “Quando m’en vo,” featuring a stunning solo from Sarah Drake ’25. She “did not notice that time was going by, until the last trill and high note” and acknowledged “how the music department supported [her] that night.” The Chamber Orchestra also played three movements from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite.” From the delicate “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” to the magnificent “Waltz of the Flowers,” this performance added festivity to the program. Peddie’s jazz ensembles performed energetically, from the soulful arrangement of “The Pulse’s How I Know” to the beautiful rendition of “Purple Reign’s When You’re Gone.”
A highlight of the concert was the concert band’s performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Cats.” The Concert Band brought the magic of Broadway to the music hall, earning enthusiastic applause. The Peddie Chorus set the tone for a big finish with Billy Joel’s “And So It Goes,” illustrating how well Peddie’s vocalists connect with the audience. The evening concluded with two grand finale performances. The Symphonic Orchestra led the charge with their powerful interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” eliciting thunderous applause. Finally, the combined String Orchestra and Chorus delivered a stirring performance of Mozart’s “Requiem.” The dramatic “Dies Irae,” “Confutatis” and “Lacrimosa” movements served as a fitting end to the concert.
The Fall Music Concert was a testament to the perseverance and passion of Peddie’s musicians and instructors. Look out for the next showcase of Peddie’s artistic talent!
