By Carrie Gress

Each year the classical radio station in Washington, D.C. WETA (90.9) hosts the annual Classical Countdown. Listeners vote on their top three favorite classical pieces and then the top 100 pieces are played the week of Thanksgiving.

For years and years, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony (which includes the Ode to Joy) has taken first place. Everyone knew this and expected it to happen again in 2022. But two years ago, instrumental music director, Alix Baldwin at Oakcrest School, a Catholic school in Vienna, Virginia, had an idea. She suggested to her class that perhaps Beethoven's Ninth didn’t have to win again. 

“Our class decided that Vivaldi's The Four Seasons needed some recognition (that is not to say that we don't like Beethoven's Ninth Symphony - we love it, but it's already received its due recognition, in our opinions). Everyone went home, voted, got friends and family to vote,” said one student in Baldwin's class.

And then it was time to wait. Baldwin described what happened next:

I was in shock. My husband looked over at me, astonished, “What did you DO?” I didn’t know what to think, and, of course, we had to wait about 80 minutes to find out! I posted about it on Facebook, where many of friends commented, similarly amazed… and then came the announcement, “This year’s Classical Countdown number one selection: The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi." 

Much excitement erupted over Oakcrest’s upending of the results. WETA made a visit to the school to report their success.  

But not everyone was thrilled that a class of high school girls was able to change the countdown results. Not only were many people outraged at Beethoven's displacement, but WETA changed the voting rules, limiting votes for three pieces of music, once per device.

In 2023, Oakcrest once again rallied to upend the Classical Countdown, but instead of Vivaldi, they promoted Gustav Holst's The Planets, which includes Jupiter, the original tune to Oh God Beyond All Praising. They were once again rewarded for their hard work, with Holst coming in second just behind Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

This year, the Oakcrest girls were at it again, trying to give Modest Mussorgsky‘s Pictures at an Exhibition the countdown's top spot. 

"It's really fun the way it has brought the faculty and the students together, sharing classical music," said Baldwin. "We have parents and teachers listening to WETA in their cars, talking about different pieces with the girls. We have long discussions about the various merits of one piece over another." 

"And we aren't all in lockstep," Baldwin quickly adds. "We have students who are firmly in camp Beethoven, recruiting votes for the opposition, which I love, because they are standing up for their favorites!"

In addition to interest in the Classical Countdown, Baldwin has built up a remarkable music program at Oakcrest, including a very active harp circle and chamber orchestra. When asked about how she sees music working with Oakcrest's Catholic mission, Baldwin explains, "Music is one more way for the girls to encounter the good, the true, and the beautiful, and to 'look along' (as Peter Kreeft would say) the beautiful to the Source of all that is beautiful, which is, of course, our Lord. Sharing music at Mass, on service days, and during concerts to celebrate Christmas or the end of another school year brings beauty into our daily lives."

"Studying great works of art in Music Appreciation, or the intricacies of composition in Music Theory," Baldwin continues, "gives the girls more insight into the incredible complexity and richness present in creation, another reflection of the complexity and richness of God. Oakcrest is so supportive of all of the Arts precisely for this reason! There is always music in the halls of the school."

So what happened this year? Did the girls get Modest Mussorgsky‘s Pictures at an Exhibition into the countdown's top spot? They did! At 8pm on Thanksgiving, Mussorgsky's piece was played in triumph.

"Students, teachers, and families tune in during Thanksgiving to hear the final outcome; emails are sent, group chats are lively! When we get back to school from break, everyone is cheering the success of this year's effort... it's a lovely addition to the already thriving community that Oakcrest builds with students and families," Baldwin explained.

When asked about next year, Baldwin says things are already in the works, although which piece she and the girls at Oakcrest will promote hasn't yet been picked. "We were surprised this year that we weren't able to cast enough votes for our write-in candidate... that's definitely going to be a goal for next year. I'm looking forward to it already!"