The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Before I could write a single word the first song by the 5th grade band was over-It was Joy. Second one sounded like the first. But the last one was totally different. Yes, there were squeaks a plenty, which is what I love about the 5th grade band. Considering I remember making a number of squeaks when I was a senior on a bassoon solo.

There is a huge difference between the 5th and the 6th grade bands an indication of Amanda Robertson's abilities as a music teachers. The first song was a melody of a number of traditional spiritual Christmas songs, and the second song was another melody of popular Christmas songs.

There were piano solos with Lyndee Worral starting out by playing two songs. Carmen Tan played Joy to the World which seemed to be the theme of the night. She took a deep bow and her beautiful long hair flew. Astrid Burke played a beautiful song and you couldn't help but noticed her hair which is to her waist and moved in rhythm to her playing. I love the fact that she loves music, because I know she loves sports too. Harley Labuda also played two Christmas songs by memory. She wore long red antlers that matched her dress. They kept falling down over her eyes as she played and then fell off completely as she bowed.

Jai Bauman wearing a sparkle red dress with black leggings and black shoes once again played the violin expertly this year with no squawks at all.

One of the reasons the Elementary Christmas Program is so incredible is because the little kids get all dressed up. Love the K-3rd grade little girls all in beautiful Christmas dresses that glittered matching the song they sang Feast of Lights. There was a beautiful plaid dress in gold, green, brown, not the traditional colors of Christmas, but she was beautiful in her yellow hair. There were little boys in ties, but there were also boys in t-shirts, boys in vests, boys in plaid untucked shirts. They sang "First long-ago miracle". They sang loudly and they knew all the words even though it was a rather lengthy song.

The 4th graders played the recorders. They sounded so good. I could have listened to them longer. It was very relaxing. This is where some of the girls wore long dresses with fur jackets or the popular multi-lawyer skirts. Only one boy was in a tie and one boy in vest.

The 4th, 5th, and 6th graders sang a great rendition of "You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch". They loved singing it, but it was a new song, or at least new words to an old song that caught my attention.

Oh, Christmas Tree, New Lyrics by John Jacobson

Oh, Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree, why are your needles dropping? Oh, Christmas tree, O Christmas tree the mess you make is whopping. They said you'd last "till New Year's Day." Now all your green has gone away. Oh, Christmas tree Oh Christmas tree why are your needles dropping?

Oh, Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree, why are you always leaning? Oh, Christmas tree, Oh Christmas this really is demeaning. Why can't you stand up nice and tall? Why must you lean against the wall? Oh, Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree why are you always leaning?

Oh, Christmas Tree Oh Christmas tree you look a little haggard. Oh, Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree you are a fire hazard. Although I know it's not a joke why must your limbs go up in smoke. Oh, Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree you are a fire hazard.

Oh, Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree your limbs are really sagging. Oh, Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree the lower ones are dragging I always give your trunk a wrap, still on the carpet you leave sap. Oh, Christmas tree, O Christmas tree your limbs are really sagging.

Oh, Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree I guess I'm superficial. Oh, Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree I'm making it official. Don't get me wrong, I love you so, but none the less, just so you know. Oh, Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree I'm going artificial! (Shout) Cha Cha Cha