As part of Malad Valley welcoming the holidays, the Malad High School and Middle School bands and choirs presented their annual winter concerts on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, in the high school gym.  All of the concerts were conducted by Foster Garrett with Lorna Brignone as piano accompanist. 

The evening provided opportunities for attendees to support the music program by participating in the silent auction for donated items.

Malad Middle School Concert

After Mr. Josh Smith, Principal of Malad Middle School, welcomed the audience, the MMS concert began with the 6th Grade Chorus singing a traditional Andalusian number, “Gatatumba.” The Chorus then sang “Northern Lights,” which reminded the audience of the many unusual opportunities residents of Malad Valley had this year to view the Aurora Borealis.

The 7th Grade Chorus sang “Chantez Alleluia,” a French carol, followed by “Eight Lights for Hanukkah,” reminding the audience that this is a time of year for many special holidays.

The Beginning Band showed what they have learned about playing their instruments in just four months by performing a German carol, “O Come Little Children,” followed by “Jingle Bells” and “Jolly Old St. Boogie-Claus.”

The Intermediate Band began with a Russian folk song, “Minka’s Sleigh Ride.” The concert concluded with the band performing “Bell Carol Rock,” patterned after the rock band Chicago’s style.

Between concerts, the new Malad High School drumline performed two numbers, showing off their abilities after having been organized just a few months ago.

Malad High School Concert

Mr. Bob Hannah, Principal of Malad High School, welcomed the audience and made note of the new sound shell used by the choirs for the first time. The shell was funded by a grant from the Idaho State Department of Education’s “Increasing Access to the Arts in Rural Idaho” program, the Oneida Education Foundation, Oneida School District, and the Malad Booster Club.

The Chamber Choir unexpectedly began the concert with a very entertaining song about turning off cell phones during the concert, a number performed to Pachelbel’s “Canon in D.”

The High School Choir performed four numbers, all of which were written to remind people of past Christmases while looking forward to the future. “Winter Lights,” “Where Are You, Christmas,” “December in My Hometown,” and “I See a Star” melodically took the audience through memories of the past.

Hope Butler prepared a slide show to accompany the Concert Band’s performances, beginning with “Wizards in Winter” as performed by the famous Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and followed by “Winter Magic.” After the old carol “Three Ships,” the band concluded with the holiday classic “Christmas Vacation.”

The Chamber Choir brought an international flavor to the concert, beginning with “Chapua Kali Desemba” about Mt. Kilimanjaro, followed by the Hawaiian Christmas greeting “Mele Kalikimaka,” and  then “Lirum Lirum,” a medieval song based on the sounds of the lute.  “Remembering Decembers” called up memories of past years. 

The concert concluded with “O Holy Night,” which Mr. Garrett described as the best Christmas song ever written. Soloists were Daisy Huckaby, Parker Roper, and London Hess.  Mr. Garrett invited the entire audience to stand and join in the stirring third verse of this popular Christmas anthem.