On Thursday night Michigan City Area Schools held their annual One City One Sound concert in the high school gymnasium. The bleachers were filled as hundreds of family members and friends flocked to the concert, eager to see the students perform various holiday favorites.
Though many schools host a holiday concert, Michigan City sets itself apart for the sole reason that it brings together students from every school in the corporation. With over 900 students in attendance for the concert, organization was a huge task, and one taken very seriously by those who organize the concert.
“One City One Sound is our district-wide annual holiday concert,” explained Betsy Kohn, Director of Communications for Michigan city Area Schools. “It’s always fun to pull this off because it’s all of our instrumental and vocal music students, so there’s about 925 students all together performing tonight. It all comes together in the end.”
Pulling off a large-scale concert isn’t easy, but the music departments work together to find rehearsal time and to create a stunning show for the audience. From numbers featuring single choirs or bands, to numbers involving all, the music departments have put a lot of work and planning into this well-loved event. For Barker Middle School Choral Director Stephanie Sobecki, the show serves as a way to remind people of the power that music holds.
“I think this is a great way to gather the community and show how important music is in the lives of their children. My favorite part is seeing the kids get with a larger group and see where their part fits in,” explained Sobecki. “The music department works really well together, we’re a team, and this concert is really chaotic but it’s positive chaos.”
The positive chaos was reigned in by the many choir and band directors who led their students in a variety of holiday songs. From slower, more difficult numbers played by the high school students, to the more playful “Mr. Grinch” from the elementary students, the evening cast a holiday cheer over the whole crowd.
For Candy VanBuskirk, Principal at Michigan City High School, this years One City One Sound concert was the first she’s attended, and excitement ran high for her throughout the program.
“I’m very excited, this is a great way to set off the winter break,” said VanBuskirk. “This is my first year as head principal and we’ve had a wonderful fall. I think the final song, where they all perform Hallelujah together, with everyone watching, I think that will be a great moment.”
The final number did indeed provide a great moment for the audience and performers alike. Falling in-line with a tradition that dates back to King George II, all who were able were asked to stand during the performance of the Hallelujah Chorus. As thousands of people rose to their feet, the community could be seen standing strong together as the holiday season was brought in by the talented students of the Michigan City School Corporation.