On a crisp December evening, music enthusiasts, Ursuline families, and supporters gathered in the Tully Auditorium to celebrate a double dose of musical magic: the induction ceremony of the prestigious Tri-M Music Honor Society and a festive Christmas concert courtesy of the Performing Arts department and its talented students.

The induction ceremony kicked off the evening, honoring a select group of students with exceptional talent and commitment to music. These students have excelled in their musical abilities and demonstrated strong leadership skills and a passion for spreading the joy of music to their community. 

Tri-M student leaders Katie Miller ‘25, Aine O’Sullivan ‘25, and Anna Fahy ‘26 led the induction, noting that the new inductees exemplify “integrity, accountability, service, dignity, and kindness in all aspects of the school community.” The trio went on to explain the significance of the honor society’s name, with the three ‘M’s standing for modern, music, and masters, touching on the continuous evolution of music, a universal language, and the responsibility to inspire others to reach their full musical potential.

The twenty-three inductees stood together to recite the Tri-M pledge. As they received their recognition and a single white rose, they were applauded for their achievements and welcomed into the ranks of the esteemed music honor society.

Following the induction ceremony, the audience was treated to a magical Christmas concert filled with joyful melodies and heartwarming performances. The students showcased their versatility and creativity, from traditional carols to modern classics, enchanting the audience with their musical prowess. The auditorium was filled with the sounds of jingle bells, angelic voices, and instrumentals, creating a festive ambiance that warmed the hearts of all in attendance.

Highlights included the Middle School Choir, who gracefully took to the stage in black concert dresses and red satin hair bows. Their performance began with the sweet sounds of ‘Veni, Veni, Emmanuel,’ sung a cappella. It was the first of four songs performed by the talented group of 24 middle schoolers under the direction of Mrs. Rosemary Clarizio ‘89, performing arts department chair.

The High School Strings group performed Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. Ms. Kelly Gentry instructed the students, who were conducted by Mr. Sylvain Falipou-Karkari. The stirring arrangement is a great piece for teaching legato, tremolo bowing, and expressive phrasing.

Later, the Concert Choir joined the Chamber Choir in a rousing rendition of the holiday classic, ‘It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.’ Both choirs are conducted by Falipou-Karkari and were accompanied for the evening by the gifted pianist, Mr. Hong-You Liu. 

The Advanced Orchestra was the final group to perform, providing a spirited finish and a touch of nostalgia with Tchaikovsky's ‘The Nutcracker Suite, Set 2.’ 

As the night came to a close, the audience gave grateful applause for the students and their dedicated teachers, Clarizio, Fallipou-Karkan, and Gentry. (Ms. Gentry worked to prepare the students, but was not in attendance because she is on maternity leave.)

The festive evening will be long remembered as a celebration of talent and achievement, a reminder of the power of music to bring people together and spread joy and cheer. The participants and the audience left with smiles on their faces, grateful for the opportunity to enjoy a festive evening of Christmas music together.