Students enjoyed a festive All-School Meeting (ASM) this Wednesday, the last before Winter Vacation. This ASM, dubbed “Sounds of the Season,” gave students an opportunity to showcase their musical talents and to appreciate performances by their peers.
Emma Chatson ’18, Marie Latham ’18, and John Moreland ’18 introduced each musical act with jokes and personal tips for surviving Winter Term. According to Mamie Wilson ’20, the upbeat nature of the three hosts helped set a cheerful tone that kept the ASM enjoyable.
“The hosts made it very fun and entertaining, and they had a lot of fun things to say. Good advice, too, for surviving Winter Term,” said Wilson in an interview with The Phillipian.
The Handbell Choir, Chorus, and Fidelio Society performed the first three acts. Handbell Choir performed arrangements of “Joy To The World” and “Jingle Bells.” Chorus sang “Winter Wonderland” and was followed by the Fidelio Society, which sang an a capella version of “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.”
Audience member Mia Cheung ’21 said, “I really liked ‘Winter Wonderland’ because I felt that it was a song that everyone around me knew well… [The song] was pretty fun because the Chorus had layered the song in a way I had never thought possible before.”
Following the singing performances, Jazz Band played “Deck the Halls” and “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” To close off the ASM, Head of School John Palfrey introduced the cast of “Ragtime.” Together, the cast and Palfrey sang “Make Them Hear You,” a song featured in the musical. Chi Igbokwe ’21 described the song as surrendering but hopeful.
According to audience member Megane Bantefa ’19, the power of the song brought the audience together.
“I thought that it was good that they put it at the end because everybody really came together and really enjoyed seeing the community unite like that,” said Bantefa.
Wilson shared this sentiment with Bantefa, feeling that this ASM was a chance for the community to come together as a whole.
“It definitely made me see [Andover] as a community because we… got a chance to come together and celebrate Christmas even though, because we have such a diverse community, not everyone might celebrate Christmas. It’s a great way to come together and boost morale for the last few days before break,” said Wilson.
