RALEIGH, NC – With only three weeks left until the end of the year, the Triangle area is bursting with live holiday music and choral performances every weekend. Meredith College‘s annual Winterfest joined the lineup, with their performing arts ensembles gathered together at Jones Auditorium to show off their talents and bring together the community for an afternoon of joyous holiday music both modern and traditional.

The afternoon was a brisk hour and 20 minutes of talent and was filled with the sounds of dozens of instruments – strings, drums, handbells, woodwinds, and more – the soothing voices of Christmas melodies, and the passion of aspiring conductors.

To open the concert, the Meredith Chorus, conducted by Director of Choral Activities Lindsey Bruner Woodcock, performed “Betelehemu” and “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” a poem by Robert Frost. This was the perfect introduction and a refreshing selection of music. Although classic Christmas carols like “Jingle Bells” and “Joy to the World” were also performed over the course of the afternoon, it was refreshing to hear atypical songs performed that still represented the spirit of Christmas. There was never a dull moment!

Up next was what many people were excited for, the Meredith College Ringers Handbell Choir. Handbells are a classic instrument in many beloved Christmas carols, and it was thrilling to see them included in the program. The students’ ability to keep the correct pace, harmonize with each other, and give life to the songs performed all with delicate handbells, was quite impressive. They performed an outstanding rendition of, “Ding Dong! Merrily on High” and accompanied the choir for “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” This was certainly a highlight of the afternoon and represented just how diverse and unique the college’s music department is.

Leading the Meredith Philharmonic was director Jim Waddelow who, similar to his other past performances, brought a breath of fresh air and joy to the stage. Waddelow was alongside two students who also showed off conducting skills. The stage was filled with cellos, violins, pianos, drums, and more instruments. Even more impressive than the variety of instruments was the fact that some students weaved in and out of multiple performances, conducting, singing, and playing an instrument all in the span of just one hour.

Serving as transition songs, the audience was periodically welcomed to participate in a few of the more traditional holiday songs. The audience was prepared to chime in for “Deck the Halls,” “O Chanukah, O Chanukah,” and “Jingle Bells.”

Finally, a special encore closed the night with one non-holiday-themed surprise performance of “Killing Me Softly” from Meredith’s a capella ensemble, Encore! It did stand out from the other song choices, but surprisingly, the choice worked really well with the rest of the music pieces and was yet another showcase of the singers’ raw talent and ability to sonically mix the old with the new.

Meredith College’s Winterfest celebrated the hard work and talents of the performing arts ensembles, who enchanted audience members with mature vocals and a showcase of diverse talents. Although Winterfest is closing out the calendar year, it was a great introduction to what the new year holds for the department, and the talent that is to be expected for the next season of events in 2025.