Junior Simon Couch has always had a passion for music. This passion is being featured through a song that Couch arranged, and that will be performed at De Soto High School’s music department’s winter concert on Dec. 15.

The song Couch chose to arrange is ‘In The Bleak Midwinter.’

“What inspired me to arrange the song was the song itself,” Couch said. “It was so beautiful, and I wanted to find a way to bring it to as many people as possible. At some point I just sat down and decided I was going to figure out how to do it.”

Though the song itself was inspiration enough for Couch to make the decision to arrange it, he also chose the song in part because he wanted a deeper piece of music to send a message.

“I think that Christmas consistently omits emotions other than happiness. The song is about refuge and hope, and while it might not be ‘jolly,’ it’s definitely a positive song,” Couch said.

For Couch, arranging was “… completely self-taught, with the exception of a few hours of YouTube videos learning how to use the program.”

Madrigals and Choir director Mary Etta Copeland was incredibly proud of Couch for “going beyond” what was expected.

“I would equate what he’s doing with anything where any student goes beyond the general expectation of performing,” Copeland said. “It’s broadening his horizons and using abilities that he has that are maybe in a different direction, at a higher level than what would be expected in class.”

Couch is very thankful for Copeland giving him the opportunity to have his song performed at the concert.

“I came to Mrs. Copeland with the song when I had it mostly finished. I really didn’t know if she would be into using it, but she’s been incredibly involved and encouraging in the process of bringing it to life,” Couch said.

In addition to the arrangement aspect, Copeland is allowing Couch to direct the song.

“It’s his song, so I felt like he ought to direct. Plus, it’s a very difficult song to play and I don’t want to put that on anyone but me,” Copeland said.

Couch is glad he has the opportunity to expand upon the song with directing, as well.

“Mrs. Copeland has insisted that I direct it. Directing has been a lot more difficult than I expected and I really hope I can do the song justice, but at the same time it’s comforting having control over the song,” Couch said.

Couch is excited for others to see his work at the concert.

“My main emotions when Mrs. Copeland and I started working on the song were nervousness and excitement,” Couch said. “The song is incredibly difficult to sing; the harmonies are really close and the dynamics are absolutely necessary for it to come to it’s potential. Thankfully, we’ve put quite a bit of time into it and it’s more about the excitement now.”

Overall, the experience for Couch has been very positive.

“It really is something special to arrange a song and have forty people singing it a month or two later. Not many people have that opportunity and it’s only a matter of luck that I do,” Couch said.