The Fuqua School Upper School Opus on Dec. 10 and 11 in the Gilmer Gym included the senior, junior and sixth-grade bands, along with the theater class, dancers, singers and junior varsity cheerleaders.

Drum Major Senior Stone Tucker said, “I thought [the] Opus went very well overall, and everyone had strong performances.”

At the beginning of the program, the senior band and junior varsity cheerleaders marched into the event playing “Sound of Angels.” Student Council Association Vice President David Hice welcomed the audience, and was followed by Youth For Christ President Noah Shepherd with the invocation.

The sixth-grade band, along with seven of the Tri-M Honor Society Members, performed “Fanfare Noel,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Christmas Carol March” and “Christmas Chimes.”

Mary Katherine Kendall (Clara) and Irene Thornton (Sugar Plum Fairy) executed parts of the Nutcracker Ballet.

“I felt nervous and excited, and I wanted to put out the best performance I possibly could,” said Thornton about her routine.

The theater class performed the “Twelve Days of Christmas.” The junior band then played the “Three Minute Nutcracker,” “Polar Express” and “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.”

Christian Adams and Warren Dabney sang Manis, “It’s Cold Outside,” a humorous number about head coach of the varsity football team, Ben Manis. They were followed by Elizabeth Hall and Kaitlyn Morgan, who sang “Santa Baby.”

The senior band then performed “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain.” Seventh and eighth-grade history teacher Terri Wyatt sang “Let There Be Light,” and the senior band followed with “Hallelujah Chorus” and “All I Want for Christmas is You.”

Head of School John Melton gave the benediction. Afterwards, everyone joined in to sing “Silent Night.”

SCA President Thomas Watson gave closing remarks to wrap up the event.

The Fuqua Lower School’s Christmas program, titled “This Holiday,” occurred in the Lower School gym on Dec. 14 and 15 and included pre-k through fifth grade.

The night was filled with Christmas joy and spirit, especially when the audience joined in singing “Deck the Halls,” “Up on the Housetop” and “Jingle Bells” with the second, third and fourth grades.

Ireland Seagle is a Fuqua School freshman who studies journalism. She can be contacted at davisle@fuquaschool.com.