Hot chocolate, snow, stockings and wreaths, gingerbread cookies, candy canes, and family all come to mind in December. For students involved in the music programs, however, another date sparkles on the holiday calendar: the Candlelight concert.
Each and every year, Staples puts on its holiday concert, Candlelight. At the end of each and every Candlelight is a skit put together by the juniors and seniors who comprise the Acapella Choir. In recent years, the skit has usually been composed of different holiday songs organized by the choir director, but this year, outside help was sought.
Luke Rosenberg, choral director for Staples, contacted Don Rickenback, who ended up putting together this year’s holiday performance from scratch. Rickenback has worked with Staples Players as the musical director on several shows in recent years.
Some students who asked to be unnamed said that Rosenberg’s motivation for seeking help was a lackluster scene last year. According to an anonymous senior who was in choir last year, “When we found out there weren’t going to be any [soloists last year], a lot of people were bummed and had a negative view on the whole [skit].”
When asked why he sought outside help, Rosenberg said, “Last year’s skit was fine, but I knew it could be so much more if it could be better catered to us.”
President of the Acapella Choir, Emily Ressler ’14, is very supportive of the decision, and she says that the rest of the choir agrees.
According to Ressler, one of the main reasons that the whole choir is so supportive is because of Rickenback’s history with Staples Players and his talent for writing music.
“We’re so excited for Don’s number because we know we’re starting off with awesome original songs and a cute theme to tie it together. It moves very quickly, so the audience will be able to stay engaged,” Ressler said.
