Branson’s annual Winter Concert premiered on December 5th, showcasing a semester’s worth of work from the Branson Jazz Band, Branson Singers, and Chamber Music Honors class.
For the second year in a row, the Saturday performance for friends and family was accompanied by an in-school concert, made possible by a special schedule.
On Friday, December 5th, classes were shortened from their usual 70-minute duration to 45-minute morning blocks, allowing the afternoon to be dedicated to a schoolwide concert period.
For student performers, this change has made a meaningful difference.
“It’s a great chance to showcase all of the work that you’ve been putting in to your friends,” Daaniya Zaidi ’27, a clarinetist in both the Jazz Band and Chamber Music, said. “I really like that it’s actually implemented into the schedule so that everyone can go.”
Leading up to their first performance of the year, positive energy has been a key difference maker for the ensembles.
“I’ve really enjoyed the optimism and energy of the [Jazz Band] because we’re willing and excited to tackle difficult pieces,” bass clarinetist Mira Sridharan ’26 said.
Preparing for the concert together has also helped build a strong sense of community.
“In Jazz, we are a really close-knit group, and I feel like we’re all just supporting each other,” Zaidi said. “It’s a lot of people’s first time performing in front of the whole school, but everyone has been really good about uplifting each other.”
The Chamber Music Honors class also has a few new musicians this year, bringing fresh sounds and perspectives to the ensemble.
“I really enjoy the unique instrumentation we have this year. This year has been a more diverse mix of instruments than anything I’ve seen in our Chamber Music class,” Eleanor Hoang ’27, a violinist, said.
Despite the excitement, this year’s concert schedule has also posed some challenges.
“It’s usually a week later in the year, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but having Thanksgiving break where nobody’s practicing and then jumping right into it is actually really hard,” Zaidi said.
Even so, the experience of preparing for the concert and making music together all semester has made all the hard work worthwhile.
“I thought it was really fun, and the audience had good energy,” Sridharan said.
Beyond the excitement of performing, the concert reminded students of why they love making music.
“The most amazing part is to be able to make art with people,” Zaidi said. “You connect on a level that I feel you normally wouldn’t because it’s more emotional and spiritual. Art breaks boundaries.”
