It is that time of year when music rules supreme. The time of year when we usually know every song being played. It brings up memories and smiles. It lifts us, and despite ourselves, we find ourselves smiling. Ok, there is occasionally a song that is played so much we start crumbling about "that" same song. There is music about the Savior being born. Music about family. Music about Santa.

My favorite concerts are this time of year. I love listening to grade school children sing. I love watching them search the crowds for their parents. I love seeing them in their Christmas dresses. "Gramma, I have a new dress! It's so beautiful! It's gold." I love hearing the first time the grade school band plays. They are still learning, but it's terrific! The Elementary School Concert is 6:30 PM on Thursday, December 15th.

The High School Christmas concert is on Tuesday, December 20th, at 6:00. This concert is fabulous because of the quality of the music! Our high school musicians are that good.

It is also the time of year when the Honor Choir and Band perform after being selected to participate. This year we had six students: Hunter Moore and Marie Bold in Honor Band. Angie Sant, Jai Baumann, Lainey Terry, and Jaycee Worrall in Honor Choir. According to TJ Bond, music teacher, to get into each ensemble, the students needed to practice audition materials and submit a recording in early October to qualify for the band or choir. The Honors Ensembles consist of students across music districts 6 and 7.

The band performed Bonds of Unity, Latina, The light Eternal, Psalm and Celebration, and Russian Sailors' Dance.

The Choir performed The Awakening, The Glory of the father, O Come O Come, Emmanuel, Loch Lomond, and Praise His Holy Name.

I watched the performance on NFHS, which surprisingly carried the music well. It was an hour and 45-minute concert by the best musician in Districts 6 and 7. It was beautiful to listen to and watch.

TJ Bond said, "The students performed extraordinarily well and showed the talent of Big Sandy phenomenally! I'm very proud of them."