In the midst of the holiday season, WJ Chorus added to their busy schedule with a performance at Bethesda’s Winter Wonderland on Dec. 2. The event brings together music and arts groups from various schools in the area to give back to the community. The different sections of the WJ Chorus perform in the event every year.

The chorus performs two of the same “standard” songs at this event every year. Chorus teacher Kelly Butler also integrates other music that they are learning at the time into their setlist.

“It’s a short little performance so we don’t have to prepare that much music and it’s just a good way to get out in the community. It’s just an easy way to go and support the community and give back and also just be out there and get our name out there and sing for people,” Butler said.

Senior Veronica Montero has performed for Winter Wonderland for three years. She participates in chorus to expand her music knowledge and perform with her friends.

“My favorite part of Winter Wonderland, besides the actual performance, is getting ready for the concert that day with the group and then hanging out with my friends afterward,” Montero said.

The holiday concert provided chorus students with a unique opportunity to show off their current music while staying connected with the Bethesda neighborhood that surrounds them.

“I really enjoyed performing at Winter Wonderland because it made me feel like I was part of the community and was giving back by performing. At the same time it was different from other events in that it made me feel engaged with the world around me in a place outside of school,” senior Henry Saybolt said.