15th Annual Winter Concert presented by Prep's Performing Arts Department

Prep's diverse and talented Performing Arts Department was on display Wednesday, December 20, in Norris Auditorium.  The 15th Annual Winter Concert featured the Flintridge Prep Orchestra, Flintridge Singers, Fusion Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, 8th Grade Jazz Ensemble, and 8th Grade Girls' Chorus.

Prep's orchestra, directed by Mr. Jon Murray, began the concert by performing compositions by Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Johann Christian Bach. The combined choirs, directed by Mr. Steve Hill and accompanied by the chamber orchestra and pianist Mr. William Schmidt, followed.

They entertained the audience with traditional holiday songs and three special performances--a folk song entitled, "Momiji (Autumn Colors)," sungby the Flintridge Singers in Japanese; D. Shimoni's “Mi Yitneni Of” performed by seniors Kayla Furman, Raine Hoover, and Sophie Teitelbaum accompanied by violinist Allison Chu; and a duet by sophomore Yuko Shimada and senior Jon Myers singing "Baby, It's Cold Outside."

Following intermission, the concert showcased traditional and fusion jazz performances by the student ensembles, including arrangements by Herbie Hancock and Duke Ellington.  The concert's final performance was a combined arrangement by the Jazz Ensemble and the Flintridge Singers of Jose Feliciano's "Feliz Navidad."

Special thanks goes to Dr. Robert Parker, senior Jesse Sheldon, and Mr. Scott Swink for the concert's excellent lighting and sound production.

A very special thank you is also owed to the Blecksmith family and the J.P. Blecksmith Leadership Foundation. Before the concert began, Headmaster Peter Bachmann introduced Alex Blecksmith '97 who presented a check for $30,000.00 raised by the foundation which was donated to Flintridge Prep's J.P. Blecksmith Memorial Scholarship Fund. 

The fund was established at Prep in 2004 in honor of Alex's brother, 2nd Lieutenant J. P. Blecksmith '99, who died while serving in Iraq. 

The fund helps support a number of important school activities. It provides tuition support for deserving students of need, finances special student leadership events, and offers an annual award to a Prep student who represents the campus leadership skills and strong character that J.P. is remembered for.

As Prep begins its winter break this week, the evening’s performances and the generosity of the J.P. Blecksmith Leadership Foundation added much to the holiday season.