Staff Writer- Amelia Dewberry
Each December, the Gustavus Wind Orchestra and Wind Symphony come together for an annual tradition of holiday cheer: Winds of Christmas. This year’s Winds of Christmas will be on Tuesday, Dec. 9th, at 11:30 a.m. in Christ Chapel, featuring holiday classics such as “Greensleeves,” “Sleigh Ride,” and “A Christmas Festival,” with a melody of classic Christmas Carols.
This performance is special for musicians because it is a rare opportunity for both GWO and GWS to play together. Senior Conor Jolly explained, “This is really the only time we get to play together, so it’s a really unique experience. I loved playing with the Wind Orchestra when I was a First-year in Wind Symphony, and the reverse is true now.”
“Winds of Christmas is special because it is a unique time where both of the bands combine to spread holiday cheer to Gustavus!” First-year Katherine Wold, a French horn player in GWS, agreed. She enjoys this community aspect of the music experience most. “What I enjoy about being a part of music at Gustavus is the people in the music community who I have become close with. I also enjoy having the opportunity to advance and improve as a musician with the help of my professor and peers,” Wold said.
This year’s performance will feature three holiday classics: Leroy Anderson’s “A Christmas Festival”–a bright, up-beat collection of 8 traditional Christmas carols, such as “Joy To the World,” “Deck the Halls,” and “Jingle Bells,” and more–and “Sleigh Ride,” which is very popular amongst wind bands for its iconic slapstick parts. Additionally, Alfred Reed’s “Greensleeves” offers a softer, more mellow contrast compared to the Anderson pieces. “I am excited to play all of the music, but especially Sleigh Ride because I have surprisingly never played it before!” Wold said.
The concert will include both Director of Bands John C. Clemons and Director of Woodwind Studies Karrin Meffert-Nelson as conductors. “Winds of Christmas is just such a fun tradition. You have all the ugly Christmas sweaters, decorations, and just overall holiday spirit. There’s such a great turnout every year, and always some superfans cheering up on the balcony,” Meffert-Nelson said.
As a longstanding tradition at Gustavus, Winds of Christmas offers the community a chance to take a break and have some holiday fun at the end of the semester. Students and conductors alike dress festively, decorate instruments, and share the holiday spirit with all Gusties. Students dress up in ugly Christmas sweaters, Santa hats, decorate their instruments to look like Christmas trees, candy canes, wrapped in string lights, and much more.
“The performance is quite informal and fun, typically featuring all sorts of holiday sweaters, hats, and lights,” Jolly said. In recent years, the performance has featured a surprise guest soloist on one of the pieces: the iconic slapstick part in “Sleigh Ride.” Attendees can expect to feel warmed by the concert’s holiday spirit. “People should come to this concert because it’s all about holiday cheer. Don’t be a Grinch!” Wold said.
Join the Gustavus Wind Orchestra and Wind Symphony for some holiday spirit during Winds of Christmas on Tuesday, Dec. 9th, at 11:30 a.m. in Christ Chapel, featuring holiday classics and cheer.