The Holiday Season at VA

12/15/2023

Every year I wonder how we arrived at winter break so soon! This past Wednesday night was a magical evening as I drove from spending the day with the students, faculty, and administrators at Vermont Academy at Mount Snow in time to arrive back in Saxtons River for the Geminids meteor shower. Stepping outside at 10:00 pm, I walked over to the field around our campus observatory to see a dozen shooting star-like displays in a symphony in the sky. The shower managed to appear after a snow squall laid out a blanket of an inch or two of snow.

This week we attended one of our favorite traditions of the winter trimester – the Candlelight Winter Concert. This performance includes music from the Vermont Academy Chamber, Jazz, and Vocal Ensembles, performances by our Dance Team, and a special offering from the Kurn Hattin Homes for Children Choir. Sprinkled in between the performances were wonderful festive readings from poems or other favorite written excerpts read by faculty and students. The music and performances celebrated winter traditions across several faiths, as well as including secular songs. Performing Arts Department Chair Mr. Cady had the students showcase their talents in numerous solos, and we all continue to be so impressed by the growth of our musicians.

Highlights from the concert that drew lots of audience reaction included a new take on the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” from the Dance Team, the Jazz Ensemble’s performance of Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds,” the Kurn Hattin Choir, the Vocal Ensemble’s traditional German piece, “Oh, How Lovely is the Evening,” the combined Jazz and Chamber Ensembles’ performance of Duke Ellington’s “Come Sunday,” and so much more. Perhaps the most special moment occurred when a Kurn Hattin Choir member momentarily lost her way in her solo, and the entire audience cheered her on when she started over with the lyrics and captured our hearts.

Yesterday, all of the students on campus, except a few athletes heading to tournaments and games were all packing up and departing. The campus will be quiet these next couple of weeks, but when we return, we will enjoy more wonderful winter traditions and events such as the 24 Hour Play Festival, welcoming our alumni back to campus for the Alumni Hockey game, skiing and jumping on campus under the lights on our ’77 Snow Park, Winter Carnival, and many academic highlights that include research, presentations, and collaborative projects.

Have a wonderful break and a Happy New Year! Cheers from all of us at Vermont Academy.

Best,

Jennifer

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