Holiday and Winter Concert Magic: 5 Simple Ways to Captivate Your Audience This Season
Holiday and winter concerts have a special kind of magic. They bring communities together, showcase student growth, and fill the season with music and joy. But sometimes, even the most beautiful performances can start to feel routine and stressful when you are the one doing the heavy lifting to make them happen. Truth be told, I’ve had parents complain about the length of some concerts (too long!), and I’ve also seen some audience members fall asleep or continue scrolling during the show if they weren’t engaged enough (yikes). Here are five simple, creative ways to make your upcoming holiday concert more meaningful and engaging for everyone in the room.
1. Build Your Concert Around a Story
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Instead of organizing songs by grade or ensemble, think about framing your program around a storyline or theme. A clear thread helps your audience follow the journey of the storyline from start to finish.
Themes like “Freezing Together in the Wintery Weather” (yes—this was actually a theme my middle schoolers chose one year), “Gifts of Kindness,” or “Songs of Celebration” often work well with much of the repertoire that’s available for a variety of ensembles or classroom music settings. Each piece can represent a chapter in that story. Have a few students serve as narrators to introduce each section and share how the music connects to the theme. When your concert has a sense of purpose, it feels more like an experience than a list of songs.
2. Add an Audience Poll
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I’m a huge fan of real time audience engagement and choice. Giving your audience a way to participate is always intriguing for them and an easy way to get them involved. A simple poll can create a fun, interactive moment that keeps everyone engaged.
Display a QR code that links to a quick poll using tools like Google Forms or Mentimeter. Ask something lighthearted like, “Which holiday song is your favorite?” or “What reminds you most of winter?” You could even let the audience vote for the final song (this is a good option if you want to wrap up your program with a traditional singalong). Sharing the results during the concert adds a touch of surprise and connection.
3. Highlight Different Traditions
The holidays mean many different things to different people. Celebrate that diversity through your music selections.
Include songs from Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Las Posadas, or other cultural celebrations alongside familiar carols. Let students share short introductions or facts about each piece. It’s a great way to teach cultural awareness while helping every family in the audience feel represented. It’s also a great way to showcase that although traditions might differ, the sentiment and purpose behind them is often similar. Connecting these lived experiences with others’ experiences is always a win.
4. Use Visuals to Deepen Connection
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Visual storytelling can make a concert more immersive and emotionally resonant. One way to achieve this is to share photos of your students’ families celebrating the holidays or practicing their own holiday or winter traditions.
Collect pictures from students, teachers, and community members ahead of time and create a slideshow to project during an appropriate song. As the audience listens, they can see the wide variety of ways people celebrate, connecting the music to real-life experiences.
Other visual aspects can include student artwork inspired by the music, soft lighting, themed projections like snowflakes or candlelight, and dance. This is where collaboration with other teachers (and perhaps even some community members who have specific expertise and skills to teach your students) can go a long way.
5. End with a “Together Moment”
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