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Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. Photos of Westwood High School Chorus members and their directors as young children were shown during their concert in December.
1-04-2026 1:20am
Westwood In A Minute: WPS Performing Arts Winter Concert Warms Audience with Seasonal Tunes
Darlene Cancell
Editor
At the Westwood Public Schools Performing Arts Winter Concert on December 18th, instrumental and vocal student musicians took to the stage, offering a showcase of musical talent from the district's elementary through high school students.
The concert began with "African Bell Carol" performed by a combined orchestra, which was followed by individual opportunities for the orchestras from WPS elementary schools and Thurston Middle School to shine. Especially impressive, as always, were the Westwood High School Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra, closing out the musical program. The orchestras were directed by Alicia Winslow.
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. Director Alicia Winslow leads the Westwood Public Schools orchestras.Following a short intermission, Director Robert Goldman introduced the vocal ensembles of Passing Notes and the Westwood High School Chorus. The groups sang seasonal tunes, including "Santa Tell Me" and "White Christmas."
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. The high school vocal ensemble, Passing Notes, took to the stage after the concert's intermission.A second half of vocal performances featured a surprising and entertaining selection - a medley from the Broadway musical, Hamilton, by Lin-Manuel Miranda, arranged by L. DeSpain and R. Goldman.
As the evening closed, the chorus sang a last, seasonal song while accompanied by a slideshow of photos from each performer's childhood (including the Director Goldman and the group's accompanist) - a personal touch that added a warmth, like a fire in a hearth, to the overall event.
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. Joining the audience following the intermission were (L-R) Westwood Public School Performing Arts Orchestra Director Alicia Winslow, Band Director Deanna Saada-Smith and Music Teacher Diana Legere.
