Winter Performances Inspire Holiday Spirit

At the Uihlein Campus in Lakewood Ranch, talented Middle and Upper School performing arts students came together in an exciting concert combining toe-tapping jazz pieces and traditional and contemporary choral arrangements.

The Black Box Theater was filled with upbeat tunes when the Jazz Band, directed by Mr. Pat Miller, started off with Count Basie's "Jumpin' at The Woodside," getting the audience warmed up for the lively pieces that followed. "Swing, Swing, Swing" was another particularly fun song for the crowd - the familiar tune had the audience smiling in recognition.

The Middle and Upper School Chorus followed Ms. Denise Hoff’s guidance as she led them through an assortment of songs, beginning with "Over the Rainbow," moving on to "Riptide," "Na Na Na" and a hauntingly lovely rendition of "Light In the Hallway." The lineup included holiday favorites including "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" with a breathtaking solo by Madisyn Wandall '22, and "O Holy Night" performed by soloists Gavin Gargano '24 and Ms. Thayer Greenberg. The concert concluded with the entire cast performing "Bohemian Rhapsody," accompanied by violinist Arthur Wang '21, Natalie Carrión '23, and Olivia Leichter '23, bringing the audience to their feet in appreciation.

Pre-K, 4th, and 5th grade students put on an absolutely beautiful holiday performance at Siesta Key Chapel. Dr. Linda Vasilaki led the String Orchestra as they played a set of winter-themed pieces before being joined by the fourth and fifth grade chorus members directed by Mrs. Martha Gulácsy. The highlight of the event was the adorable pre-K angels, who sang several holiday songs to the delight of the audience.

At the annual Lower School Holiday Concerts, every student had an important part to play. From the beautiful music played by Dr. Vasilaki’s string orchestra and rousing marches from Mr. Stiles’ band students, to the lovely songs presented by the chorus led by Mrs. Gulácsy, each ODA student contributed a musical talent to the wonderful performances. From the endearing pre-K, kindergarten, first, and second graders singing in the Kozel Family Amphitheater, to the third, fourth, and fifth graders’ mid-morning performance in the Dining Hall, parents enjoyed every moment of each concert. ODA’s traditional “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” by the kindergarten class was an enormous success - always a crowd favorite, the students did a fabulous job with their enthusiastic version of the Tchaikovsky classic.

Many thanks to the Performing Arts Department faculty and the tireless work of our students who put on these spectacular performances!