This past Sunday will forever be one of the proudest moments in our choir’s history.
For the very first time, our students took the stage with the prestigious Richmond County Orchestra, led by the remarkable Maestro Alan Aurelia, as part of the magical holiday production Natale 2025 – A Celebration of the Holiday Season.
Imagine this: in just five rehearsals, our young choir had to master an entirely new program written for voices and full orchestra. Fast tempos, tricky rhythms, long phrases that demand serious stamina — pieces far more challenging than anything they’d done a cappella before.
Saturday night’s first run-through with the orchestra? Total deer-in-headlights moment.
The kids thought Maestro Aurelia was “scary” because he kept passionately singing along to show them the line (they had no idea he was helping!). They were rushing, dragging, missing breaths, and shooting Mrs. Ania desperate “we’re doomed” glances. More than one little face looked ready to bolt straight into a parent’s hug.
But here’s what makes our group so special: they didn’t give up.
Early Sunday morning — sleepy faces, sore feet, a few dramatic groans — they showed up anyway. Under Mrs. Ania Kapllani’s steady, loving guidance, they sang it again and again (and again) until everything locked into place and their throats were dry.
And then… the performance.
When the lights came up for Concerto di Natale 2025, those same nervous kids transformed. They marched on stage, took one big collective breath, and sang their hearts out — perfectly together with the orchestra. Smiles everywhere, energy soaring, joy radiating. Mrs. Ania, singing right in the middle of them as always, could barely contain her pride (and maybe a happy tear or two).
Mrs. Ania said afterward:
“I was incredibly nervous — they’re still so young, and an orchestra can feel overwhelming. But they rose to every challenge. They stayed with the beat, they smiled the whole time, and they had fun. I’ve never been prouder.”
The audience gave them a thunderous ovation, and every child walked off that stage glowing.
To our fearless young singers: YOU JUST PERFORMED WITH A FULL PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA at Concerto di Natale 2025!
To Mrs. Ania Kapllani: thank you for turning fear into pure magic.
To Maestro Alan Aurelia and the wonderful musicians of the Richmond County Orchestra: thank you for your warmth, patience, and for helping our kids shine.
This is the night they’ll tell their own children about one day.
Way to go, everyone! 🎄🎶❤️