School Music Programs Provide Entertainment
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‘Tis the season for holiday programs, and the Chinook Schools are showcasing the musical talents developed by Mr. Levi Williams, the Music Programs Director.
On December 18 beginning at 6:30 p.m., Meadowlark Elementary students enrolled in kindergarten and first and second grades performed a program called Once on a Housetop. The story centers around a group of chimney-sweeps who help get the ‘big red fella’ out of a chimney, cheer up a child celebrating Kwanzaa, learn how to make latkes, see a little baby born, and break a piñata. According to Williams, the multicultural elements of the program were key to his selecting it but didn’t trump the quality music.
“My first concern when choosing songs and programs for my students to perform is the quality of the music; however, cultural aspects do play a role in the final selection process. Once on a Housetop contains quality songs while also offering students the opportunity to learn how different cultures celebrate during the winter season,” Williams said.
In another part of the program, third and fourth graders presented A Pirate Christmas, with music composed by John Jacobson and Roger Emerson. With this chapter of holiday adventure, Christmas is approaching, and the elves are exhausted and tired of the cold. So, Santa orders a vacation, and they all escape to a tropical island for some sunshine, rest and relaxation. Here, they meet a band of pirates, who mistake Santa for the legendary White Beard. From White Beard and his elves, the salty crew of pirates learns about true treasure: That it is better to give than to receive.
The holiday theme continues tomorrow, December 20, with a Christmas Concert featuring students from fifth grade through high school. The evening will begin with the sixth-grade choral performance of Jingle All the Way(s) by Brad Printz and Christmas Bell Canon by Carol Dare.
Next, the fifth-grade band will play Merrily We Roll Along and Good King Wenceslas, both traditional folk songs. Following the fifth graders, the sixth-grade band will present Up on the Housetop arranged by John O’Riley and Jingle Bell March arranged by Douglas Wagner.
In a continuation of the holiday theme, the junior high choir will sing three pieces: Hodie, a joyous call-and-response styled piece arranged by Jay Althouse in which voices announce the birth of a tiny Babe; the traditional carol O Holy Night; and Santa Claus is Coming to Town, also arranged by Jay Althouse and featuring eighth grader Daniel Macleod as a soloist.
The risers will then fill with the high school choir who will entertain the audience with Madrigal of the Bells by Linda Spevacek, Silent Night arranged by Greg Gilpin, and God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen arranged by Donald Moore.
Following the vocal talents of these area youth, two instrumental groups will play. First, the junior high band will perform Little Saint Nick arranged by Eric Osterling and Jingle Bell Rock arranged by Frank Cofield.
The high school band will conclude the concert with performances of American Christmas Rhapsody arranged by Paul Jennings, Coventry Carol arranged by Jerry Brubaker, and Santa Baby arranged by Mike Story. This final piece will feature solos by Cameron Huestis, Kinley Hamilton, and Liam Edwards.
Williams applauded his students’ efforts in preparing for the two concerts, saying: “The students have been working hard for the past three months on their music. Each group has really come a long way from the beginning to now, and the students definitely seem to have favorite songs. For instance, the kindergarteners really enjoy “A Big Red Fella in the Chimney,” the third and fourth graders like singing “Give and Take,” the junior high band enjoys “Jingle Bell Rock,” and the high school choir loves singing “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen.”
The concert, which begins at 6:30 p.m. in Chinook High School’s Lloyd Sweet Auditorium, is free to the public.
Pictures in next weeks edition.
