On Thursday, December 21, 2023, the Collegiate community once again gathered at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle for the Winter Program. Boys in Kindergarten through grade 12 contributed to the joyful celebration of the winter season. The Collegiate Orchestra started the program with “Forever Joyful” and “Rest Ye Merry, Rock Ye Very” by Brian Balmages. Attendees joined the boys in singing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”.
 
David Lourie, Head of School, welcomed the boys and their families and gave the boys “homework” during the Winter Break: to rest, read, reflect, and resolve. This was followed by a reflection on light by Mr. Dwight Vidale, Assistant Head of School for Institutional Equity and Belonging.

The Collegiate Orchestra continued with “A Glimpse of Winter” by Tyler S. Grant. Then grade 2 performed “Let It Snow!” by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne. Next, the Upper School Chorus sang “Light the Legend - A Song for Chanukah” by Susan Nurenberg and Michael Isaacson and “I’ll be Home for Christmas” by Kim Gannon and Walter Kent. George Heyman ‘24, gave a reading and reflection on Hanukkah. 

Next, the Middle School Chorus sang “A Cold Wind Blows” by Paul David Thomas followed by grade 4 singing and playing ukuleles to “Hazy Shade of Winter” by Simon and Garfunkel. The UnDutchables sang “Marshmallow World” by Carl Signman and Peter DeRose. Grade 3 then sang “Ocho Kandelikas (Eight Little Candles) by Flory Jagoda.

The program ended with Cheikh M’Baye ‘24, reading “Year’s End” by Richard Wilbur. Grades Kindergarten and 1 then sang “Simple Gifts” and “This Little Light of Mind”. The postlude was “Winter Wonderland”.

This event is special in so many ways. It marks the final event of the calendar year and it is one of the few Collegiate events that brings boys in every grade together to celebrate and acknowledge the many traditions and celebrations at this time of year. Nearly 1,500 people, including students, families, and friends gathered together. Collegiate is a place where our boys spend up to 13 years of their lives learning, growing, and developing traditions and lifelong friendships.