Well, the RFH Winter Concert this week was a smashing success. Songs were sung by the Tower Singers, the instrumental groups played on and color guard twirled. And, the show had a special guest — The Grinch, a/k/a Evan Callas with, of course, the Tower Singers.

So, we take you back again to RFH Winter Concert times in the 1970s, because it’s that festive musical time of the year when RFH students get into the holiday spirit with music.

It’s an annual tradition. It’s been one since the dawn of RFH time. But, things are a little different nowadays.

Anyone who grew up in the R-FH area and went to RFH knows that at every concert back up to at least the 1980s, there were three choruses performing.

They were: The Freshmen Chorus, The Tower Singers and The Tower Madrigals.

And all three choruses were quite full. There were no auditions for the Freshman Chorus and Tower Singers; but, to sing with the Madrigals, you had to pass a pretty stringent audition.

Now there are more instrumental than vocal groups. And, the RFH Color Guard performs as well.

So, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day pay ode to the musicians of RFH with this look at the three choruses of the past (circa 1976).

But, dating back to December of 1966, the concert featured the Concert Band, Tower Singers, Girls’ Chorus and Freshmen Chorus, with vocal musical direction by Paul Grammer and instrumental by Kenneth Walters. That part of it didn’t change into the 70s.

But there was one very longstanding tradition for the RFH Winter Concert for decades from at least this concert in 1966.

That would be the tear-jerking, impressive finale wherein the orchestra and singers performed the Hallelujah Chorus as a finale and invited RFH alumni up on the stage to join in. The stage was packed with talent past and present and memorable song.

Highlight of the program will be ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ by Handel performed by the Concert Band and the combined choruses,” a story in the Dec. 19, 1966 Daily Register said. “Alumni of the choruses are invited to come forward and join in the singing of this traditional Christmas Anthem.”

That was what it was dubbed. And, indeed, it was known as a Christmas Anthem for RFH.

It always brought the audience to their feet. Anyone remember?

Keep singing and playing RFHers!

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