Grosse Pointe South’s Choir brought festive energy to the North Performing Arts Center on Dec. 5 as students from the choir performed the annual “Sounds of the Season” concert, creating a great start to the month with music and dance.
“We started preparing for this performance right after The Fall Follies show on Oct. 25,” choir director Carolyn Gross said.
As rehearsals intensified, students focused on mastering the hardest songs for the performance. Gross mentioned that two pieces were especially challenging for the choir.
“The first is The Glory of the Lord, which is the fourth selection in Handel’s Messiah. It’s challenging because the vocal lines are demanding in range and independent from each other,” Gross said. “The other very challenging piece is Gettin’ In The Mood For Christmas… It’s tricky to make it precise.”
For singers, the shift from classroom rehearsals to the professional stage at North added excitement. Choir member Libby Wilson ’28 felt as though the venue transformed the experience.
“Our auditorium is way too small to do any of our performances and they always sell out,” Wilson said. “But the North PAC is really nice… and the stage is really nice, which makes me feel more comfortable.”
Audience members also felt the impact of the tradition and performance. Liam O’Mara ’26, attending the concert, has felt that the concert offers more than just familiar holiday tunes.
“I really think it is,” O’Mara said. “It shows the amount of music that South has to offer. I think part of me kind of wants to brag about our music program at South. But overall, I’m glad people can enjoy it, so that’s good.”
Though the music and dance were a factor, the ultimate success of the “Sounds of the Season” concert depended on how it connected emotionally with the community, delivering the first gift of the month.
“I hope they feel ready for the holiday season with a little more joy than they started with,” Gross said.
