A Holiday Tradition in Music for Over 20 Years: FDL High School’s Night ofSilence

Fond du Lac High School’s Night of Silence concert has become a longstanding holiday tradition, offering the community a unique and thoughtfully structured musical experience. First introduced in 2003, the concert features approximately 200 student musicians and singers and is performed in the round in Fond du Lac High School’s PAC, creating an immersive setting that feels both focused and intentional. What sets
the evening apart is its defining guideline: the audience is asked to hold applause until the very end of the performance, allowing the concert to unfold as one continuous experience.

The program brings together students from across the school’s music ensembles, including Symphonic Winds and Percussion, Symphonic Orchestra, Concert Choir, Bel Canto, Jazz Band I, and Cardinal Singers. Ensembles perform both individually and together as a group, showcasing the depth and range of Fond du Lac High School’s music program.

Throughout the concert, the absence of applause encourages attentive listening and smooth transitions between selections. Adding to the interactive nature of the evening, the concert also includes audience sing-along numbers featuring classic Christmas songs, inviting attendees to participate and share in the holiday spirit.

Tickets typically go on sale in early November through www.hometowntickets.com, with
the concert taking place in early December for only three days.

Author: Ali Faris Helleberg