One night filled with heart, courage and a whole lot of love. Night of Love Songs is more than just a concert, it’s a tradition. The WHS Choir Department brings the community together each year and produces something magical.
On Feb. 7, students had the opportunity to show off some of their favorite love songs just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Whether it was a solo or a duet, the night showcased everyone’s hard work and incredible vocal abilities. For many students, it was a great chance to step out of their comfort zones, build confidence and share their voices with a supportive audience.
About 10 years ago, in an effort to raise money for the choir department, Nina O’Connell, a parent of a former WHS student, came up with the idea for this special night that brought together not only the students and family of the choir department, but the whole community.
WHS Choir Teacher John Brzozowski said, “We created NOLS because we had so many choir events that needed funding and decided it would be a great opportunity to feature the students.”
Now, Brzozowski is the head of music for NOLS. In addition to assisting student leaders in perfecting the night, he also provides guidance to performers throughout their songs, offering support and musical direction to ensure each performance shines.
This night runs effortlessly, but that wouldn’t be possible without the students behind the scenes who organize and carry out the event. This year, WHS student leaders were juniors Sophia Lavigne and Grace Filiberto, along with senior Hana Forbes. They are in charge of planning the night and answering questions to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Last year’s student leader, senior Emily Tessitore, said, “It was one of the best experiences of my life. I loved doing that. It was a great leadership event, but also a great community event, seeing how everyone came together.”
Not only does NOLS offer various performances, but attendees were also able to participate in the fundraisers to raise money for the choir program. Each year, leaders and members come together to create various gift baskets filled with different items. This year some baskets included a Love Shack Fancy basket and an Optic Magazine basket. The event also gets brand sponsors, and this year’s NOLS was sponsored by Michael Robert Construction and Oceans Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry, along with other Westfield businesses.
WHS freshman and Rising Voices Choir Group performer Ryan Lodge said, “Performing was such a great experience; getting to see everyone showcase their talents was really great to watch. I’m so glad to be a part of this community.”
Senior performers Valentina Ciucci, Madeleine Smith and Mia Saco all sang beautiful love songs. Their songs included “Mi Sei Scoppiato Dentro Il Cuore” by Mina Mazzini, “Love” by Nancy Adams and “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston. The songs and decorations in Cafeteria B added to the ambience and created a true “city of stars” feel. Senior Kelsey Dix closed out the night with the song “Make You Feel My Love” by Bob Dylan.
NOLS continues to be more than just a Valentine’s Day event; it is a celebration of passion, dedication and community. From all the hard work and preparation from students and staff, every piece comes together to create a night that truly means something to the community. What started as a fundraiser has blossomed into a cherished tradition that will continue for years to come.