(Contributed Photo: Christmas City Studio)
BETHLEHEM, PA– The acclaimed Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts (Charter Arts) Music Department will present its Winter 2025 Concert Series with stunning performances featuring the school’s various choirs and ensembles.
The Winter Choral Concert will be held on Monday, December 15, 2025 at 7 PM. This year’s concert will showcase the exceptional talents of more than 120 student vocalists under the direction of David Macbeth, Erica Dickson, and Talia Sheehan.
The performance will feature four of the school’s distinguished ensembles—the 9/10 Choir, 11/12 Choir, Treble Choir, and Touring Choir—in a diverse program that highlights both contemporary and classical choral repertoire. Featured composers include Eric Whitacre, Elaine Hagenberg, John Rutter, and Ola Gjeilo, offering audiences a rich and varied musical experience.
A highlight of the evening will be the Charter Arts Touring Choir’s presentation of an excerpt from Handel’s Messiah, offering audiences a preview of the larger community performance they will present with the Concord Chamber Singers later this month. The concert will conclude with all ensembles uniting on stage to perform Laudate by Christopher Alexander, a vibrant and festive work set in Latin that promises to deliver a powerful finale.
The Winter Instrumental Concert will be held on Friday, December 19, 2025 at 7 PM. This concert will feature over 100 talented student musicians under the direction of Matthew Wells, Thomas Maher and Joseph Bucci.
The Charter Arts Wind Ensemble will be performing Minnesota Portraits by Pennsylvania-native, Sam Hazo. The Percussion Ensemble will showcase two strikingly contrasting works- Starfall and Identity Crisis– featuring some unexpected ‘instruments’. The Orchestra will present a blend of contemporary and nostalgic selections, including the ever popular, Sleigh Ride, and the Guitar Ensemble will be featured in a special pre-recorded performance.
Tickets for each concert are $8-$14 and can be purchased online at CharterArts.org. Charter Arts is located in the heart of Bethlehem’s Southside Arts District at 321 East 3rd Street, Bethlehem.
ABOUT THE CHARTER ARTS MUSIC DEPARTMENT:
The Charter Arts Music Department offers a rigorous music education taught by award-winning and accomplished faculty that develops students into well-rounded and professional musicians and vocalists.
The instrumental music curriculum includes classes in classical, jazz, and contemporary music styles while performing in large ensembles that include Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Latin Music Ensemble, Wind Ensemble and Contemporary Music Ensemble as well as small ensembles that include strings, guitar and percussion. Students enjoy individual and small setting technique classes with a music faculty member who specializes in their instrument. These specialists include bass (electric and upright), brass, guitar, percussion, piano, strings, and woodwinds.
The vocal music curriculum includes tracks in classical art song, musical theatre, and pop/contemporary that allow students to focus and hone their skills with one-on-one instruction by professional voice specialists. In addition, the Singer/Songwriter track includes Songwriting, Music Production and Contemporary Music Performance Practices.
ABOUT THE LEHIGH VALLEY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS:
Charter Arts is an audition-based public charter school, funded by Pennsylvania taxpayer dollars, that provides a comprehensive curriculum for high school students, grades 9-12, who have a dedicated passion for the creative or performing arts. Students major in one of seven artistic areas: Dance, Instrumental Music, Literary Arts, Production Arts, Theatre, Visual Arts, or Vocal Music.
Charter Arts’ rigorous curriculum fosters both academic and artistic excellence for its students. The school’s impressive Advanced Placement (AP) exam statistics, Keystone Exam statistics, SAT scores, prestigious artistic accolades, and graduation rate, are testaments to the outstanding education that Charter Arts provides.
An award-winning, nationally recognized institution, Charter Arts is ranked #1 Best Charter High School in PA and #1 Best Public High School Teachers in PA on Niche’s 2026 Best Schools in America Rankings. The school also placed among the Top 10 Charter Schools in PA on U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-26 Best Schools Rankings.
Prospective students and families who are interested in learning more about the music program and the school are invited to schedule a tour or attend an upcoming Information Session. visit CharterArts.org for details.
Information provided to TVL by:
Ann Gillette
