Concerts and Holiday Traditions

Fine Arts Festivities

Get an inside look at Liberty North’s Fine Arts concerts. written by: Justice Williams

Every year at Liberty North around December it comes time for the annual holiday band concert. The students begin practicing in October and will continue doing so until the day of their performance. “I’d say my favorite part about the holiday concerts is getting to play our festive music on time for the holidays because we start rehearsal in October,” senior Gabe Fransens said. Festive concerts are not exclusive to band. Choir will often sing a mix of traditional and non-traditional songs during the holiday concert, so expect to hear some seasonal favorites. “We’re singing “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey and it’s honestly the most overplayed holiday song around this time of year but it’s nice to already know a piece before we start learning it,” junior Evan Anderson said. The holidays are something almost everyone can enjoy for some reason or another and the orchestra holiday concerts at Liberty North are the perfect way to bring out your holiday spirit. The holidays hold a special place in the hearts of many; Liberty North holiday concerts can be a source of cherished memories for the audience and performers. “My favorite part of the holiday concerts is seeing and playing the familiar music and seeing how it is interpreted into an orchestra,” freshman Andrew Hodges said. All Liberty North holiday concerts will take place in December before winter break. The students performing are working hard to perfect their performance before the concerts take place. Many people enjoy coming to the concerts to support their friends and family, but even if you may not have any connections to choir, band, or orchestra you can still come out to support your fellow Eagles and their passion for music. “Orchestra is a big part of my life and always will be, the holiday concert is where I can really express that love with my friends and family supporting me,” Hodges said.

photos by: Brieanna Green

A Look Into Cultural Customs

Explore the traditions and customs of Diwali, Chinese New Year, and Hanukkah.

written by: Maia Gaddis

From November to January, many families can be seen celebrating different holidays from around the world. During this time, Christmas seems to have overshadowed these other holidays but some festivities like Hanukkah, Diwali, and the Chinese New Year are thriving in various parts of the world. The traditions that many families hold dear have made their way into being culturally significant. Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday that starts on the 25th of the Hebrew month Kislev. With a holiday that has been around for centuries, new traditions began to blossom with it. One of these is the Menorah. Candles are lit on the Menorah to show universal enlightenment. “When we were growing up, we always made Latkes and a big dinner. wWe’d light the Menorah and say prayers in Hebrew each night. Our family loves decorations so we put stars on windows, streamers on the ceiling, and white and blue around the house since they are the colors of Hanukkah,” sophomore Olivia Brown said. Hanukkah isn’t the only holiday around this time. Diwali is recognized around India, taking place from November 4-6. It’s celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs as they take time to worship God for happiness and success. With this celebration taking place in India, families in America keep the heritage of Diwali alive. “We can’t do fireworks in November, so we do sparklers instead. We give offerings like fruits or sweets that we made to God. God blesses that food and gives it back to us to eat. The temple we go to is pretty far away, so if we’re not busy then we will go to the temple, but usually we just celebrate it at home,” sophomore Sindhu Rao said. Taking place at a later time, the Chinese New Year will be celebrated on February 1, 2022. Holiday customs include the color red to represent good fortune and joy. New traditions create environments that are both safe and fun for people of all ages. “People used to make dumplings and put coins in some of them. If you got a coin in your dumplings it was supposed to signify good luck. You don’t see it as often anymore because it can be a choking hazard. Now, my family always gathers together and eats a big meal. The adults give the children red envelopes with money in them to signify good luck for the year,” sophomore Nicole Chen said.

photo by: Olivia Brown

photo by: Sindhu Rao

The Menorah is used in Judism to represent the creation in seven days. Foods, such as fruits and sweets, are used as offerings to Hindu gods, like Lashkmi and Ganesha.