by
Chris Pinto-Spiegel '26
On December 9, Saint Joseph Regional High School will be having its annual Christmas Concert with performances from both the SJR Chorus and Band at seven o’clock in the evening. All former, current, and soon-to-be SJR families are welcome to relax and enjoy the concert once the doors open around six thirty in the evening for admission into the Inserra Theater. Currently, tickets are being sold by the head of the Performing Arts Department at Saint Joe’s, John Asselta, who is just as thrilled for the concert as the performers. In addition, tickets will also be sold on the night of the concert for last minute admission.
“The Christmas concert will be a wonderful way to get ready for the holiday season,” Asselta said. “The Saint Joe’s boys chorus is one of the largest in many years combined with the talented young ladies who will join us to make this Friday’s concert very special.”
As the concert date nears, chorus and band members are continuing to put in any work necessary both in and out of rehearsal to prepare. Chorus director, Richard Todd Adams and the band director, Joseph Martorano, are working to their greatest extent to guarantee a fabulous performance, and the young singers and instrumentalists among them are willing to stay for long hours after the school day to reach that same goal. The SJR Chorus is singing a variety of Christmas songs, some of which include the entire chorus while others include solos, duets, trios, and quartets. Some popular faces in this year’s chorus include senior Thomas Snyder and junior Liam Fahey, both of whom are also involved in this year’s Performing Arts production.
“The chorus has been working extremely hard for weeks and we can’t wait to demonstrate our talents and put the SJR community in the Christmas spirit,” exclaimed senior Thomas Snyder. “Of course, we owe all our success to our music director, Mr. Adams.”
The night of the concert will be filled with an abundance of both performances and interactivity with the audience, such as the intermission. Act I of the SJR Christmas Concert is dedicated to the many performances from the entire chorus and its spectacular soloists. Some of these songs will be sung by only males and others by only females. Then, once the chorus is finished, the intermission will begin where complimentary holiday desserts and beverages - fresh hot chocolate and eggnog - will be served. In addition to enjoying these delightful treats, families have the ability to converse and take pictures with Santa Claus! Furthermore, Act II is dedicated to the performances from the band, some of which are collaborations with the chorus. Finally, at the end of the concert, all SJR alumni are welcomed onto the stage for the singing of the traditional Alleluia Chorus.
“All this is shaping up to be a very special evening,” Asselta proudly announced.