A Night of Music and Holiday Cheer: Carson Chorus Shines in Their Winter Concert

Thursday night’s Holiday Concert at Carson was one of those evenings that reminds you why these programs matter so much to the students, the school, and the families who pack the auditorium each year. For Amy and me, this one carried a special emotional weight. With Samantha now a senior, we realized this was her last holiday concert at Carson — leaving just the spring concert in 2026 before her chorus journey comes to an end. Proud doesn’t even begin to cover it, but the night was undeniably bittersweet too.

And while this isn’t weather-related, I always like to share the moments, events, and performances in our community that stand out. Music, arts, and the dedication of our local students deserve to be celebrated, and when something truly special happens on a stage right here in Rowan County, it’s worth talking about.

Under the direction of Mrs. Megan Wyatt, Carson’s chorus program continues to thrive. Her leadership, patience, and passion were evident from the first note to the last. She has a gift for bringing out the best in her students, whether they are just beginning or preparing for their final year on stage.

The evening opened with all chorus classes performing two crowd favorites:

• What Christmas Means to Me (Arr. Huff)

• Carol of the Bells (Arr. Wilhousky)

“Carol of the Bells” is a difficult arrangement even for experienced choirs, but the students handled it with confidence and crisp articulation, immediately pulling the audience in.

Next came the Beginning/Intermediate Ensemble with Yes, Virginia (Arr. Beck), featuring standout soloists Addie Patterson, Grayson Carter, and Gavin Cook. Their performance was warm, controlled, and well-delivered.

The Small Ensemble followed with beautifully blended renditions of:

• Duérmete (Arr. Johnson)

• Catch a Snowflake (Arr. Huff)

• Last Christmas (Arr. Gilpin), featuring soloists Reagan Sizemore and Audrey Faggart

This group brought a clean, expressive tone to each selection, showing both discipline and musical maturity.

The Honors Chorus delivered one of the most powerful portions of the night with a polished six-song set:

• Joy to the World (Arr. Sorenson), featuring solos from Sophie Sides, Tyler Madden, Cheyenne Talley, and Allison Mendoza-Reyes

• Walkin’ Down the Road (Arr. Gilpin)

• Mary Sat a Rockin’ (Arr. Gilpin)

• Ding-A Ding-A Ding (Arr. Gilpin)

• There’s Still My Joy (Arr. Emerson)

Their blend, expression, and stage presence reflected the countless hours of preparation poured into the program — and the steady guidance of Mrs. Wyatt.

To close the evening, all classes came together for The Prayer (Arr. Chinn), creating a unified, heartfelt finale. Watching Samantha take part in her final holiday performance, Amy and I felt the moment settle in — proud, grateful, and aware of how quickly these years have passed.

Thursday night’s Holiday Concert wasn’t just a holiday program. It was a celebration of student growth, musical excellence, and the strong sense of community Carson’s chorus embodies. And for our family, it was a beautiful milestone in Samantha’s senior year — one we’ll hold onto for a long time.