The Island School Chorus Presents “Christmas Rocks”

“Christmas Rocks” Island School’s Annual Winter Concert

Island School’s three choral ensembles, together comprising the Island School Chorus, take the stage again at the Kaua’i Community College Performing Arts Center to present their annual winter concert. Christmas Rocks! showcases over 115 students in grades 4-12 performing a range of popular Christmas music, all which found its beginnings in rock ‘n’ roll and pop music.

Philip Steinbacher, choral conductor at Island School since the chorus’s inception in 2006 remarks, “I’m always excited about our concerts but this one is especially upbeat and fun. The Christmas music featured represents a range of repertoire from the 1940’s to the current day. All of the pieces gained popularity because they were pop or rock based – depending on the era – and not because they were time-honored carols or classic Christmas hymns. It’s always challenging to find new ways to present a concert, but I think we’ve really achieved some novelty in this concert. Each of the different singing ensembles has a “showstopper” number, which I believe will really make for a rousing evening. Expect fun, toe-tapping, and good music. It promises to be a delightful evening of song that will put everyone in the holiday spirit.”

“As an educator, it’s important to me to encourage students to explore music and its elements and their impact on us as humans. Music is, of course, a part of most holiday celebrations, but it’s more than that. It’s an integral part of our cultural, social, and historical fabric and it’s critical that students know “where we came from.” By learning and performing these popular songs from the past, they’re studying the history of popular American culture and seeing where we’ve been musically. It’s about more than just the songs. It’s about our history.”

Chorus photos available upon request. Christmas Rocks! is accompanied by Rose Alfiler and Joyce Peralta. Tickets are available at the Island School office beginning December 1 and at KCC on December 14 if space permits.