Behind the scenes: The Holiday Collage

By Nicholas Truong

Just recently, the largest annual performance of Waterford Kettering, The Holiday Collage, was performed for the public to hear. For three days straight, the Performing Arts Center’s orchestra, band, and choir, as well as many soloists and ensembles, played a variety of holiday songs. 

“Collage has been going on for 20 years,” Orchestra director Merlyn Beard said. “When we started collage it was a great concert that was completely new to the Waterford community.” 

And word spread fast. 

“There were a lot of people who came and saw the work that the Kettering music department was doing and were really impressed,” Beard continued. “And as they told their friends and neighbors, more and more people started to come, and with that it kinda developed into a go-to event in the Waterford area for the holidays.” 

Choosing which songs will reach the stage isn’t just about picking favorites; plenty of thought and care goes into every song.

“I tried to think about what would be educational for the kids,” band director Laura Zilhaver said. “What’s going to stretch them, what’s going to be fun for them to play, and what would the audience like to listen to.” 

Furthermore, students were given the chance to perform in solos or small ensembles, allowing them to truly shine.

“It’s unique because it showcases not only our large ensembles but small groups of students,” Zilhaver said. ”We get to hear people who we wouldn’t hear, specifically, in the big groups.” 

A lot of work is being done to prepare.

“We are spending a lot of time in class talking through the logistics,” Zilhaver said. “Obviously we are preparing the music, we are doing the staging practice, we practiced on the stage today. We have a rehearsal on Monday to go through.” 

Scheduling is a large part of the event. Right as one act finishes, another begins.

“As we move from event to event, this is a lights driven concert so, as the lights come up the music continues and as the lights come down, the lights come up somewhere else in the auditorium,” Beard said. “So making sure that we have the right amount of time to get people where they need to go, making sure that it flows from one place to another… We really want to keep it interesting for our audience.” 

Collage also diverts much of their profits to the Waterford GoodFellows, a local charity.

“We developed it as a way to give back,” Beard said. “And the way we are trying to encourage our students to give back is to use their skills, then we raise money, and then we turn around and donate that money to the GoodFellows so it goes right back into the community to help those families in need. Over the last 20 years, we have raised almost $90,000.”

Collage also shows the comradery between the performing arts.

“Besides enjoying that music,” said Beard. ”I think it’s a great opportunity to show our bands, orchestras, and choirs to work together.” 

Collage brings, not just the Performing arts center together, but also the whole Waterford community.

“I think it’s cool that the whole community comes,” said Zilhaver. “ We end with a sing along, it’s kind of cool that music can bring that many people together.”