News

PCA Choirs and Band Celebrate the Joy of Christmas

What a delightful evening last Thursday as the PCA Upper School Choirs and Band presented their annual Christmas concert, "The Joy of Christmas". This year all of the musical selections surrounded the theme of JOY. Seventh grade musician, Ian Marlow, began the evening with a beautiful piano solo of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", setting the tone for what would be a very joyful evening. The middle school choirs sang familiar songs such as "Joy to the World", "God Rest You Merry Gentlemen", and a jazzy rendition of "Jingle Bells". The middle school bands joyfully played " At the Feast of Stephen", "Ode to Joy" and "A Festive Fanfare". Standout band musicians Bella Davenport and Angelina Xiong delighted the audience with a duet, "Marimba Christmas for Two".

The growing High School Choir sang holiday favorites such as "Carol of the Bells" and "Sleigh Ride". Dani Wulff gave a compelling performance in her solo of "There's Still My Joy", while Olivia Martin moved everyone with the message of the true joy of Christmas in her delivery of Hillsongs' "When I Think Upon Christmas". The High School Choir closed the musical evening with an amazing performance of Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus".

Thank you to all of our choir and band students, and to Kathy Thames and Mike Doll, for setting our hearts and minds on the joy that can only be found in Christ!

Exploring Asheville's Literary Connections

On December 2nd and 3rd, the Sophomores made their way to Asheville, North Carolina for the annual literary trip. Upon arrival, the students watched a live Christmas Spectacular in the Flat Rock Theater and then made their way to the historic Biltmore, where they were able to eat dinner at the Deerpark Restaurant on the Biltmore property under twinkling lights. The students then headed inside the spectacular Biltmore Mansion for a candlelight tour of the house that was decorated in ornate lights and Christmas trees. The next day the students set off to tour the homes of O'Henry, Thomas Wolfe, and Carl Sandburg. The Sandburg house was a class favorite as students toured not only the home but the dairy farm founded by the Sandburg's in 1945. The sophomores particularly enjoyed interacting with the animals on the farm, especially the goats. The 10th grade trip to Asheville this year was a success!