The holiday season is incomplete without the joy of music. At Neuqua Valley, the Crystal Concert is a cherished tradition, bringing students, families, and the community together to celebrate the season through the gift of music.
With countless concerts, musicals, and more throughout the year, it may seem as if going to this concert is unnecessary and even redundant. “Crystal features EVERY Main building band, choir, and orchestral curricular ensemble (several hundred students total),” says Kevan Kosobayashi, Orchestra Director of the performing co-curricular group Neuqua Valley Symphony Orchestra and curricular Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Strings. In addition, there are twelve individual groups who have tried out and will be participating in this wonderful concert. Being able to see so many students in a single concert is a huge bonus, and allows the audience to gain a glimpse of the entirety of Neuqua’s outstanding music program. Unlike typical concerts, Crystal is designed as a continuous musical journey, with performances flowing seamlessly in a darkened auditorium, creating a captivating and magical atmosphere.
Neuqua Valley’s music program is a powerhouse of talent and excellence, earning national recognition and setting a standard for high school music education. We have even won Grammy Awards at a national level. Our music program has received seven Grammy Gold awards and has received grants totaling over $60,000! We have also received other distinctions including one from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and were the recipient of the Sudler Flag of Honor.
Crystal is a perfect time to celebrate all the holidays around this time of year. The concert promises a flawless experience for the audience, with “the entire event [running] seamlessly, with virtually no transitional time between performances and ensembles showcased in a completely darkened auditorium,” says Kosobayashi. Students have been putting in lots of work behind the scenes, and have been putting their music together for over a month in order to bring their community together to celebrate wonderful music. Even after graduating, “it’s been a tradition for many families,” and “for graduating seniors, it’s often one of their best memories from high school.” This is because participating in Crystal is an excellent bonding experience for music students, as there is a lot of downtime as they watch other groups perform. Crystal is an incredibly “special and unique” concert, in the words of Kosobayashi.
Crystal is an incredibly popular concert, with an outstanding showing each year. Each of the four shows are usually “sold out.” With 800 seats in our auditorium, a whopping total of 3200 people show up! Due to the concert’s immense popularity, tickets are required to attend, even though they are free. Performers and music students have priority, with performers receiving up to four tickets and non-performing music students receiving two. Non-music students and the general public can reserve tickets starting Monday, November 25, at neuquamusic.org via GoFan. Seats fill quickly, so don’t wait! If you are unable to get tickets, or if you live out of town, you can view Friday’s concerts via a livestream provided by the Neuqua Valley Media Department at www.neuquatv.org.
Whether you’re a music enthusiast or simply looking to enjoy the holiday spirit, the Crystal Concert is a must-see tradition that showcases the extraordinary talent of Neuqua Valley’s students.
