Winter Concert ’23: A Behind-the-Scenes Look into a Musically Magnificent Night

Magical does not even begin to describe the experience of the Winter Concert. It is the culmination of months of music students collaborating, pushing themselves, exploring new instruments, and working through challenges to create engaging music and memories that will undoubtedly last a lifetime.

Every December, the Vistamar Music Department holds the Winter Concert. The showcase of live music celebrates student work in music classes and is an opportunity to bring live music to the Vistamar community. The show is made up of 10-12 songs from varying genres performed live by students in the Rock Band, Jazz Band, and Choir classes. This year, the theme of the Winter Concert was “Counting Stars.” The students are the main focus of the performance, but Dr. Jason Gamer, Director of Music Department, is the beating heart of the concert.

Collaboration is the ‘name of the game’ throughout the entire process of building the Winter Concert. Dr. Gamer strikes a balance between guiding students as they cultivate their own musicianship while also teaching them how to play in a larger ensemble. Before any rehearsing begins, Dr. Gamer forms the set lists by choosing songs that are a reachable challenge for his students to learn. It is important that the songs are varied in style but work together to create a cohesive show. Additionally, Dr. Gamer chooses songs that celebrate the unique talents of all his students. Every student in the music department has the capacity to contribute their individual talents to the show, no matter their musical background. 

The music department and Winter Concert are designed to include students with varying levels of experience with music. “We have students who are making music for the first time in their life. And, in the same production, have students who want to make music their life,” says Dr. Gamer. In his classes, Dr. Gamer encourages students with less musical experience to let go of any preconceived notions they have about their ability to play music and asks them, as well as all his other students, to simply be present in class and be ready to listen, learn, and engage with the music and their classmates. He says, “I look at it in terms of meeting the student where they are and taking them to a place, musically, where they never thought they could go.” 

The process of creating the Winter Concert is Dr. Gamer’s favorite part the experience. “I love the ‘aha’ moments students have in rehearsals,” says Dr. Gamer. He enjoys seeing his students dig deep into the music they are performing and strive to improve their craft. Additionally, the rehearsal process is where students make bonds and performers find harmony with each other on and off stage as an ensemble. The rehearsal process is the part of the Winter Concert that the audience does not see but what makes the performance so special. 

Performing in and preparing for the Winter Concert is an experience like no other. Oliver S. ’24, choir, says, “My favorite part of the Winter Concert is the opportunity to go up onstage and make incredible music with talented musicians. There’s really nothing else like it.” The show’s intimate nature makes for an unforgettable experience, especially when the right group of students comes together to perform a particularly extraordinary piece. Mika L. ’24, choir, remarks about how she loves collaborating with Rock and Jazz Band performers Sebastion K. ’25, Izzo A. ‘25, Fritz G. ‘26, and Logan S. ‘26 in songs including Tuyo by Rodrigo Amarante and I Want You by The Bealtes. “It was an absolute jam and felt like a legitimate rock performance,” says Mika L. 

Not only does the Winter Concert impact the students performing, it makes a lasting impression on the audience. Mr. Neal Von Flue, Visual Performing Arts Department Chair, remarks loves how he loves seeing another side of his students in the concert. “The thing I always enjoy the most is seeing students in a way we don’t see them day-in and day-out,” says Mr. Von Flue. Additionally, Mrs. Jennifer Silver, humanities faculty and Head of the Writing Center, comments on how she loves how varied the setlist is. She says she loves the “variety of voices, not just in terms of student voices, but the collaboration of different musical communities.” The fact that the set list “casts a wider net” makes her feel more connected to the show. 

At its core, the Winter Concert is a celebration of music, student work, and collaboration. Dr. Gamer, the performers, and the show itself strive to inspire and elevate the Vistamar community. There is no song performed that does not have everyone in the room bobbing their head and jamming in their chair. Additionally, the Winter Concert has a unique ability to connect students who may not have otherwise been friends on campus. As a Vistamar music student, my life has been forever changed by Dr. Gamer and the Vistamar Music Department. I know I am counting my lucky stars for the lasting memories I have made and the endless laughs I have had in choir class. 

If you have any questions about the Winter Concert or the music department, you can find Dr. Gamer in the music room, or tending to his beloved garden outside the Vikings Commons. Lastly, if you are interested in watching a live-streamed recording of the 2023 Winter Concert, please visit livestream.com/vikings. 

Photo Credit: Cliff Williams