After a tough fall semester, students and faculty alike were looking forward to the December break. Whether traveling to another country, staying at home, or simply hiding from the cold, the ambiance of the winter season can foster a warm and cozy atmosphere that brings friends and family together. This year’s holiday assembly was intended to bring that atmosphere to Greeley. The holiday assembly, which showcases the school’s orchestra, band, and chorus groups, aims to bring together students from all over the school to appreciate the work of their peers and celebrate the holidays together.
The annual tradition dates back over forty years. Band Director Dr. Raymond Lucia says that the tradition began before he started working at the school in 1980. However, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 prompted Greeley’s music department to suspend the annual holiday assembly for three years to ensure the students’ and staff’s safety. Despite the pause, the directors have made sure to keep some parts of the tradition alive. Orchestra Director Mrs. Kathleen Feldman says, “We haven’t missed one, because we’ve always sent something out virtually. Like in 2020, we sent out a couple of videos… on YouTube.” In 2022, the music department held an internal holiday concert, where each music group performed for each other. The comeback of the assembly was a highly anticipated event, especially since the current student body at Greeley had yet to witness the classic version of this tradition.
Pre-COVID assemblies were known to be engaging and spirited events, featuring not only musical performances but the audience’s participation as well. Students would dress in holiday-themed costumes, candy grams would be sold, and an anonymous teacher would dress up as Santa, all topped off with a snow machine that would blow around fake flurries. “Although,” Mrs. Feldman laughs, “I think the snow machine doesn’t work anymore.”
The holiday assembly serves to strengthen the bonds within the Greeley community. Dr. Lucia explains, “We never had [just] an orchestra concert during the day…” but rather an all-encompassing music showcase, meant to promote unity within the department. Moreover, the assembly is a chance for students of all grades to come together and celebrate the holidays, break, and their hard work up to this point in the school year. Mrs. Feldman says “[w]e’re kind of celebrating the end of a chunk of time together, and everyone comes as they are. It’s always been this really fun time for everyone to enjoy what we have to offer as performing groups, and take a little break from class.”
Historically, the holiday assembly was widely embraced by Greeley’s community. “We always get overwhelmingly positive feedback from students and faculty…the last few years,” Mrs. Feldman says. “I can’t tell you how many of them have come up to me saying, ‘Oh, we’re not having the assembly? Oh, I’m so sad.’ And when we announced that it was coming back in the department chair meeting, there were cheers all around.” Just like students, teachers enjoy taking some time off from class to relax and enjoy festive music.
With the three-year suspension of the assembly, the music directors have shifted more of their attention to simply reintroducing the tradition. They hope the assembly will reclaim its reputation as an event on par with other spirit-raising events such as homecoming. The holiday assembly exhibits the talents of the music department in a way that homecoming does for athletics. Junior violist Jason C., who plays in the Symphonic Orchestra, shares, “Participating in the holiday assembly was an amazing experience… Seeing everyone, music program or not, enjoying the music and each other was just such a joy. Usually, our audiences at concerts consist of our parents and other school musicians, but this year I was able to perform for my entire school community and that was incredible.”
Like previous years, this year’s holiday assembly was met with great enthusiasm. Many students dressed up with festive colors, antler headbands, warm sweaters, and holiday lights. And as in the past, one teacher donned a Santa costume and danced on stage along to the music. In the auditorium lobby, Greeley’s Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Club prepared hot chocolate refreshments for enjoyment after the concert.
Junior Shawn L. says that he enjoyed listening to all three music branches during the assembly. “My favorite part was either one of the off-the-stage band pieces or the ninth-grade orchestra,” he says. “If I had to describe the assembly in three words, I would say relaxing, uplifting, and entertaining, though I wish there were more songs or longer songs for the symphony orchestra… since that was the shortest performance with the most people.”
For a moment before the holiday break, Greeley students and staff took time to cherish and celebrate one other. Greeley’s music program hopes that future assemblies will provoke an equally enthusiastic response from students and staff.