NOCTILUCA December 2016

CULTURE Appleton, Wisconsin December 2016 Vol. XXII

Issue III Page 9

The choirs at North welcome ‘Wintersong’

In the hustle and bustle of mid-December, as mid- terms fast approach and gifts are hastily purchased, Appleton North finds solace in its annual winter concert, previously known as “Holi- day Classics.” As the Orlyn A. Zieman auditorium is flooded with members of the community and beyond, the air fills with the specta- cle of colorful lights and the sound of classic melodies and dissonant harmonies. This year, the tradition of the seasonal concert contin- ues through “Wintersong.” Mr. Aumann and Mrs. Putman, the choir directors at North, are paving the way for the success of “Winter- song.” Mr. Aumann, who taught at Green Bay East high school for the five years preceding his tenure at North, leads the Women’s Overture and Varsity Men’s choirs as well as the Wom- en’s Choral Society and North Choir. On his new po- The ANHS choral classes prepare for their winter concert By Maddy Schilling The biggest meal of the day, instead of what dinner tends to be for most Ameri- cans, is typically lunch for an Islamic household. It is customary that if there is a visitor at their house around the time of lunch, they do not permit the visitor to leave without sharing a meal, whether this visitor is a stranger or not. Then they begin the boundless feast. Stage 1) Tea time The guest is invited into the dining area where they are served hot tea. It is also common for the visitors to bring tea to the house. The family and guest share tea and converse while they wait for the next portion. Stage 2) Helping hands Nuts, typically almonds Understanding part of the Muslim culture By Yasmeen Ashour

song” will be featuring more than just holiday songs, which composed the entire- ty of past winter concerts. Mr. Aumann stated that by diversifying the portfolio of the choral pieces, “Winter Song” will avoid prior mu- sical limitations. Additionally, Aumann added, “Holiday Classics was a concert that involved skits, which would serve as a transition for all the songs as well as a sort of narrative for the entire night; it was really cool for the audience to experience the ‘stage magic’ that was involved. While ‘Wintersong’ will not have these skits, there will still be the same ‘stage magic,’ maybe even more.” Part of this “stage magic” will include harp, clarinet and flute solos; lively per- cussion and smooth, con- necting transitions that will ultimately fuse each indi- vidual piece into one long song of winter (hence the title of the concert). Overall, the choir direc- tors want people to know that though there will be a few changes, “Wintersong”

will still be very similar to the beloved winter concerts of years past. “The purpose is still to provide a relaxing and joyful environment dur- ing one of the most stress- ful parts of the year,” Mr. Aumann says. “And we’re still performing [the song] ‘Christmastide.’ We’re even adding some really special instrumental solos to the mix.” Ultimately, the ANHS choirs are working diligent- ly to create a concert that is as smooth and as cheerful as an end-of-the-year con- cert can be. On a parting note that caters to the hope- ful and spirited nature of the “Wintersong” concert, Aumann stated, “Singing is all-inclusive for people, no matter their economic, cultural or religious back- ground. Singing is for ev- eryone.” Performances for “Win- tersong” will be held Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $10. For more informa- tion, visit the choir website, thechoirsatnorth.weebly. com.

Mr. Aumann directs the North Choir piece “Wassail” during a re- hearsal for “Wintersong.” Photo by Maddy Schilling

expresses her excitement for the upcoming concert while detailing the intrica- cies of the set list. “The Var- sity Women are perform- ing songs from all over the world, from Great Britain to Haiti to Norway, and the Overture Men have incred- ibly lively songs with a lot of percussion.” This highlights the con- trast between “Wintersong and past “Holiday Classics” concerts. For one, “Winter- get enough to eat previous- ly. Stage 5) Indulging the sweet tooth Dessert is brought out af- ter fruit. This entails cook- ies, pastries such as Bak- lava and Kanafeh as well as other traditional desserts specific to regions and na- tionalities. Stage 6) Tea time part 2 One more round of hot tea goes to the family and the guest. Stage 7) Coffee and Closure After dessert and tea, the family will bring out hot coffee. This is the last course of the meal. The guest will close their con- versations, thank the family for the meal and bid them goodbye. A meal in the home of a Muslim is not a meal on an- other planet. As displayed

sition, he said, “I’m proud of how students instinc- tively developed a sense of family and belonging. The choirs are safe, welcome, and people are celebrated for who they are.” This is also Mrs. Putman’s first year as a member of the North faculty after di- recting at a middle school in Geneseo, Illinois. Now, she instructs both the Var- sity Women’s Choir and the Overture Men’s Choir and and pistachios, are brought out to occupy the guest and family while the meal is be- ing prepared and the table is being set. The whole family typically helps to set the table and then the meal is brought out. Stage 3) An abundance of nourishment The food is set and the family as well as the guest are ready to eat. A salad called “salata” is served with almost every meal and there is typically a soup and then a main entree. The guest is expected to try ev- erything and eat as much as they would like. Water, soda and more tea is brought out with the meal. Stage 4) Fruit-specta- tions After the table is cleared the family will serve fruit to the guest and the guest is expected to try a bit of all of it, just in case they didn’t

Cultural spotlight: Lunch in the home of a Muslim family

Drinks are prepared in the home of the Khatibs, a Muslim family from Appleton. Photo by Alaa Khatib

table religion that contrib- utes a whole array of per- spective and kindness to the public.” Brennan Arnold, a se- nior at North High who has grown up in Appleton his entire life, says, “I used to think that Muslim people were a part of a totally sepa- rate society from mine, but I’ve come to realize they are an important part of society pretty much everywhere.” Hopefully, this inclu- sive sentiment will spread throughout the entire com- munity.

above in one specific ex- ample, this is not the case. Islam is a peaceful religion that 23 percent of the world follows, making it the sec- ond most widely practiced religion in the world. In Appleton there are two mosques (Muslim places of worship). Mohammed Ashour, a member of the Muslim community says, “The generosity of the Muslim extends far beyond pressing food on guests. As a (part of a) compassionate and giving lifestyle, I am part of a proud and a chari-