Symphonic Sounds of the Season: Christmas at Bosco Concert

By Quentin Huebner ’26

RAMSEY, NJ – On Thursday evening December 14, Don Bosco Prep hosted Christmas at Bosco. After two months of practicing, with Don Bosco Prep’s Music Department accompanied by Mary Help of Christians Academy’s Music Department, the Concert Chorus, String Orchestra, Guitar Ensemble, and Concert Band filled the night with wonderful Christmas classics. 

The Concert Chorus, which just made an appearance at Radio City in New York City just a few weeks ago, brightened the auditorium with their outstanding songs. These songs included “O Come, Emmanuel”, “O Holy Night”, “We Three Kings”, “Carol of the Bells”, and finally “Let It Snow!” Toni Bilotti Cecere, Director of Choral Activities, Liturgical Music, and Chapel Concerts, prepared these performers flawlessly. Their impeccable harmonies added to their performance, and I think everyone wanted to see more of them! 

The String Orchestra was conducted by Gaetano Cecere, Director of Instrumental Music, with the support of Bastia Danilow, Director of Strings at Mary Help of Christians, who helped guide the MHC string players. Their songs included “Sleigh Ride”, “Infant Lowly, Infant Holy”, and “An Appalachian Carol”. The string players really helped enlighten this music, especially in “Infant Lowly, Infant Holy”. The emotion brought into this music from these players is something you cannot find in any other instrument. 

The Guitar Ensemble was also conducted by Gaetano Cecere. Their songs included “Deck the Halls”, “In the Bleak Midwinter”, and “Campana Sobre Campana”. The chosen songs went very well with the guitars’ vibrant and electrifying sounds. They uplifted the music to add a beautiful melody and rhythm. 

Last, but not least, the Concert Band took the stage and was undoubtedly one of the best. This was again conducted by Gaetano Cecere with the help of Nick Dellosa, Director of Band at Mary Help of Christians Academy. Their songs included “The Nutcracker Suite”, “Charlie Brown Christmas”, and “Feliz Navidad”. The Concert Band is made up of an abundance of great instruments such as trumpets, saxophones, tubas, pianos, clarinets, bass guitars, and my personal favorite, percussion. The classic Christmas songs of “Charlie Brown Christmas” and “Nutcracker Suite” brought back nostalgia, while ending with “Feliz Navidad” added great energy. We even had solos from some of the players! 

To end the night, the audience joined the choir in singing “Twelve Days Of Christmas”. In addition, there was a post-concert reception in the lobby. Although it was only an hour-long performance, it was delightful and entertaining. We express our gratitude to everyone who made Christmas at Bosco possible this year, especially Gaetano Cecere, Toni Bilotti Cecere, Bastia Danilow, and Nick Dellosa.