Candlelight Concert

From Staples High Wiki

The Candlelight Concert is an annual event performed by most of the Band, Orchestra, and Chorale/Choir groups. It is usually held once on the evening of the third Friday in December as well as twice the next day (on the third Saturday in December), and thus is usually Christmas-themed. Every year's concert is different (though many pieces get repeated over the course of a few years), except that it always ends with the Hallelujah Chorus, and has the Processional (Sing We Noel) as the second piece of the night.

Admission is always free, as the production is put on as a gift to the Town of Westport. However, people must apply ahead of time to get tickets (at which time it is suggested to make a donation), and shows usually sell out. Addionally, donations to offset the event's cost are also appreciated.

It was a ritual during the tenure of Alan Dodd for him to dress up as Santa Claus as part of the performance.

History

The Candlelight Concert tradition began in 1940 with the introduction of the Music Department by John Ohanian, who first proposed that a gift to the town in this form should be put on, mainly in order to show off his progress in implementing Music into the school system. It has since been held every year.