MHS musicians and vocalists took to the stage — and balcony! — on December 7 for Winter Songfest, a new twist on a seasonal MHS favorite.

The event featured popular and holiday music performed in a socially distanced Centennial Hall, with the MHS Jazz Band opening the show from the stage by performing Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good.” The band features Kidist Mekonen Fesseha ’22 (keyboards), Gianna Han ’25 (piano), Naomi Hopkins ’24 (alto saxophone), Randi McGeary ’22 (clarinet), Fei Yang ’22 (drums), and Annika Ziegler ’25 (baritone sax).

The Ukulele Band — Jena Alam ’23, Henrike Fuhs ’24, Kyla Gore ’24, Hanna Heaton Wellenstein ’24, Welmerly Maria ’24, Vy Nguyen ’23, Migle Petruskieviciute ’23, Viola Quiles ’23, and Lily Rhoades ’23 — then performed “Easy on Me,” by Adele. Both groups are directed by Instrumental Music Instructor Jeffrey Howard.

Fernanda Morais Laroca ’23 and Kelly Pham ’22 followed by singing “When You Believe,” from The Prince of Egypt, with Kelly also performing on keyboards.

Switching ends of the hall, the Vocal Ensemble kicked off the holiday portion of the show with “Something in My Memory,” from the movie “Home Alone,” accompanied on piano by Instrumental Music Instructor Amy Renak. The ensemble followed by singing the José Feliciano classic, “Feliz Navidad,” accompanied by Mr. Howard on Guitar.

Grace Notes, the School’s a cappella singing group, wrapped up Songfest with a three-song performance from the balcony atop Centennial Hall. The group, which features Shirley Dong ’23, Honey Fields ’24, Belle He ’23, Anna Ho ’22, Iva Knezevic ’24, Milie Madourie ’22, Fernanda Morais Laroca ’23, Keely O’Gorman ’22, Jo Swallie ’22, and Yolanda Zhang ’23, opened with “That’s Christmas to Me,” by Pentatonix, and followed with Hanukkah Celebration.”

The hall’s lights were then dimmed, and Grace Notes closed the show in candlelight with a stirring rendition of “Oh Holy Night” — another reason to be grateful for the return of live music at MHS.

Thank you to all performers and the Expressive Arts Department for a wonderful show!

The MHS Vocal Ensemble: Jena Alam ’23, Maggie Bullock ’22, Molly Casey ’24, Cici Chen ’23, Kitty Chen ’24, Shirley Dong ’23, Willa Dowling-Paul ’25, Alice Ho ’23, Truc Hoang ’22, Malina Jackson ’23, Julianna Jia ’22, Ivy Kay ’25, Sunny Liang ’23, Emily Meng ’23, Kathleen Nguyen ’22, Thi Nguyen ’22, Kelly Pham ’22, Ella Tawes ’24, Maddie Tillem ’24, Yiyi Xue ’24, Christina Zheng ’22, Ivy Zhou ’22, Nico Zhou ’23, and Joana Zimmermann ’24.