Holiday caroling is usually an activity reserved for choirs singing traditional tunes. But the Sharon High School Band isn’t exactly traditional.

Every year, on the last day before winter break, the SHS Band makes its way around the school and plays the hit Christmas song “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey. It’s an occasion that brings joy to students and faculty, and for band members, it’s one of the most anticipated events of the year. 

“Caroling allows me to give back to my community and spread music to my friends,” explained sophomore clarinetist Avaneesh Mohan. “I think spreading joy to everyone is one of the most important things I can do this school year.”

It’s an annual tradition for the school’s choir and orchestra members also to march through the  hallways to perform holiday songs. This year, the Band and the Select Choir will join forces to play an arrangement of “Merry Christmas, Darling” by The Carpenters. Music teachers are working out the logistics of moving the Band and the Select Choir together to make this collaboration work. 

For the Sharon High band, more than 30 students can be playing at a time during the caroling. Before the event, the procession meets first in the band room to set up their instruments. Some students dress in holiday outfits like Santa hats, ugly sweaters, or reindeer antlers, adding even more feeling to the moment. Then, they partner up and carry their music stands, sheet music, and instruments around the school. While carrying these objects can be awkward, band members feel that it actually adds to the experience, helping them cherish the event even more. The band typically plays six to seven times in different locations, ensuring that the whole school has the opportunity to hear their music. 

It’s clear how much the performance means to the school as a whole. Many people look forward to this event for the entirety of December, and others are pleasantly surprised when they hear the band playing. “It spices up the winter season in school,” said senior Karthik Pisupati. “It makes school more interesting, and it’s a nice way to finish school and go into break.”

However, some students don’t find the experience as enjoyable. When asked about this, senior Soham Kulkarni said, “It’s unfortunate how some people aren’t able to appreciate the remarkable performance of caroling. [The band] does a great job preparing, and I think people should at least give caroling a chance. It doesn’t last more than five minutes.”

For seniors in the band, this experience creates a sense of nostalgia; for many, it is their fourth year participating. “The first time we played it, I still to this day don’t think we’ve ever played a piece that well on our first try,” said senior flutist Rohith Raghavan, who added that “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is “such a special piece. Now, three years later as a senior, I still remember those feelings, and I’m a little sad that this is the last time I’ll be playing it.”  

Mr. McGee has announced that the band will start caroling during last block and will continue through ACES.