In this two-part blog series, we’re highlighting some of the recent Children’s Services musical endeavors and grant funders who support Latham’s music programming.
The Winter Wonders Holiday Concert presented by our students on December 21st kicked off a wonderful holiday vacation week. Under the direction of Instructor of Performing Arts Sarah jane Mason, the students did group drumming for “Deck the Halls” and “Little Drummer Boy,” leading the audience in singing along as well. The Latham Stars on Stage Club sang their way through a mash-up of “Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Let it Snow,” and several students dazzled the audience on a bell choir version of “Silent Night.”
“It’s exciting to watch their confidence grow on stage, and students’ willingness to try new challenges musically,” Sarah jane said. Each class contributed songwriting for their unique versions of “10 Days of Christmas” which were shared at the show as well. Adding in a few non-holiday songs, highlights included a full school rendition of “Lion Sleeps Tonight” featuring voices, maracas, and Boomwhackers, tuned tubes played together to create chords, and a student favorite “A Million Dreams” from the recent movie The Greatest Showman. Finishing up with “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” the students then led the staff, parents, administrators, and guests in holiday caroling, filling the room with voices and percussion instruments playing. Of course, no holiday party is complete without a visit from Santa. As the last song was finishing, the big man himself joined the fun complete with elves and presents for each student. As an annual tradition and student favorite, it was a holly jolly time for all!
We’re especially grateful to the Federated Church of Orleans Local Outreach Mission for their generous grant of $4,200 awarded through the Virginia Cook Trust. This grant funded the holiday concert, our expanded music curriculum including a Jazz in the Schools program, and a spring musical. (We’ll share more information on these special music events in upcoming blogs.)
