by Jill Sackett
December is one of the most “musical” times of the year, and the Murdock Middle High School Music Department is ready to entertain with two separate events this month.

First up, at the close of the Winchendon History and Cultural Center (WHCC) Holiday House Tour on Saturday, December 14, 4:00 p.m., all three Murdock Middle High School student choirs will be showcased in a free concert at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Winchendon (UUCW), 126 Central Street. Music teacher Alyson Galipeau will conduct the middle, high school, and chamber choirs while accompanying from the church’s 19th century Chickering grand piano. The students have been hard at work rehearsing and look forward to an opportunity to perform in a downtown venue.

Ms. Galipeau, a graduate of Keene State College, has run the Murdock choral for several years and has developed two general choirs in addition to the audition-only high school chamber choir. The school presents at least two choral concerts during the school year, as well as participating in the adjudicated Great East Music Festival every May. The hour-long program will include the songs “White Christmas,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Frozen” choral suite, and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

UUCW has hosted a variety of music concerts over the years, most recently the professional concert band Winchendon Winds Summer Series and services featuring their 1868 E. & G.G. Hook pipe organ. The church’s graduated steps to a raised choir loft and excellent acoustics make it a prime location for choral performances. As a participant in the WHCC Tour, the church’s sanctuary will be fully decorated with two full-sized Christmas trees, poinsettias, window boxes, mini-lights and more. The concert promises to bring festive cheer to those attending.

Following the December 14 concert, all Murdock Middle High School music ensembles will be featured at a holiday concert in the school auditorium on Wednesday, December 18, 6:30 p.m. The school wind ensemble will play a piece specially written for them named “Coming Home for Christmas” while the student rock band will perform Mariah Carey’s hit “All I Want For Christmas is You.” The choirs will reprise their holiday selections accompanied by the music teachers in the “pit.”

The entire community is invited to attend and support our young musicians. Both concerts are free, while donations are gratefully accepted.