The choral and orchestral ensembles from Millburn High School showcased their hard work and talent at the annual Winter Concert on Thursday night. The groups have been practicing since the beginning of school.

The concert was under the direction of orchestra director Karen Conrad and choral director Rodrigo Vega. Student teacher Aimee McPeak from Rutgers University also conducted pieces with the Chamber Strings and Symphonic Orchestra.

The night opened with the Cantica Nova, Millburn's freshman chorus, who rehearse daily with Vega. They sang the English madrigal "Sing we and Chant It," Bernon's "Beautiful December," "Something told the Wild Geese" and the fun tune "Plenty-a-Music."

Next was the Millburn Chorale, a select group of 19 10th- through 12th-grade singers who spend their Tuesday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. rehearsing with Vega. The chorale presented classical pieces from foreign languages: the French "Il est bel et bon," the Palestrina Italianized-Latin piece "Sicut Cervus," Schuman's German "In Meinem Garten," an English madrigal "Fyer Fyer" and a harmonic arragement of Vaughan Williams' "Bushes and Briars."

The first act closed with the Chamber Strings, a group of select 10th through 12th grade string musicians who rehearse weekly with Conrad on Wednesday evenings. They performed Schubert's "Military March," conducted by McPeak and Bach's well-known "Brandenburg Concerto."

The Millburn High School Symphony Orchestra followed the intermission. The orchestra consists of string musicians and select winds and brass of 9th through  12th grade that rehearse daily with Conrad. They performed Frescobaldi's "Tocatta," Prokofief's march from "Music for Children" (conducted by McPeak) and Ponchielli's "Dance of the Hours" from his "La Gioconda."

The Miller Chorus was next to perform. The Miller Chorus, a large ensemble of 10th- through 12th-grade singers, rehearses daily with Vega. They began with the feel-good American folk song that tells the story of "Old Dan Tucker," then sang of German solitude in "Waldesnacht." They followed with the intricate "Mata del Anima Sola," an ancient Spanish song imitating classical instruments. The song featured tenor solo Charlie Ehrenfried. They closed with "Hark! All Ye Lovely Saints Above."

Before the concert, Millburn High School accelerated brass students, coached by Associate Director of Bands Matthew Spatz, perform prelude music in the auditorium lobby prior to the concert.

To close the program, the Miller Chorus joined forces with the Symphonic Orchestra to perform the highlight of the night, the popular holiday tune, "Sleigh Ride." Following the piece, the crowd acknowledged their hard work and talented performance.

To order a CD recording of the concert, please click this link.