The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

No Christmas season would be complete in Big Sandy without the school Christmas concerts, which took place the week preceding the start of the winter break. The elementary performed for a packed house in the evening of Thursday the 14th, while the High School band and choir entertained an equally crowded auditorium the evening of Tuesday the 19th.

Mr. Bond, the music teacher for Big Sandy Schools, described the concerts in glowing terms with plenty of comments regarding the quality of individual student performances. Regarding the F.E. Miley Elementary School concert, he stated: "I was really happy with how well the kids did. There's a lot of fun music and the kids really showed it. It just made me happy to see them all ready to go, and dancing and singing." As a parent in the audience, the students' energy was electric as they played their instruments and performed their musical numbers.

One standout song from the concert was Fruitcake Toss. "I think a lot of people would agree that the Fruitcake Toss was probably everyone's favorite. When the other grades finished, and I let them listen to some of the other classes' songs, that was their favorite."

Younger students also showed off the progress they have made with their instruments. 4th grade played their recorders, demonstrating the beginning skills they have been learning. The 5th and 6th grades performed with their band instruments, demonstrating a the progress they made from year to year.

The High School musical performance began, as it has for the last few years, with the choir singing various Christmas songs. The opening featured students walking down the aisles of the auditorium to the stage carrying candles and singing. This has been a favorite moment of mine for years and continues to be a wonderful opening to the choir portion of the program. One particularly enjoyable component of the choir's performance was the medley entitled, "The 12 Songs of Christmas." The tour of Christmas standards was both beautifully performed and fun to listen to.

A series of smaller group performances followed, featuring both singing and playing tunes on the students' instruments. Mr. Bond explained that, "The varying ages will perform a lot of different things, especially to showcase all the different carols from across the the years. I think from what I've heard, we've done a really good job. There was a jazz ensemble this year, which is a neat new addition to the mix."

Mr. Bond explained the addition of the jazz ensemble to the concert: "We've started a new class, a jazz ensemble class. It's still very small, but we're establishing roots and getting it going in the school. So far, the students seem to really like it." Hunter Moore and Darrell Sunchild performed in the Jazz Ensemble portion of the concert, both demonstrating talent and giving the audience an enjoyable experience.

Other standout performances, in a crowded field of talented student musicians, included Jai Baumann and Jamie Jones, whose flute duet performance of Where are you Christmas? Jaime also performed a solo of Most Wonderful Time of the Year. The vocal quartet performance of We Three Kings featuring Astrid Ketchum, Daijalin Sunchild, McKenzie Werk, and Lyndee Worrall with Susie Santa also shined as a display of the vocal talents of the choir.

As a member of the audience, my favorite moments, apart from my children's performances of course, were the choir's rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah, which was part of the 12 Songs of Christmas medley. As a fan of Handel and oratorio, hearing our students perform it live was a treat. The concert closed with the full band performing Trepak from the Nutcracker Suite. The students took on the difficult, fast-paced piece and wowed with their proficiency.

I could easily remark on every performance, from Lyndee Worrell's impressive piano rendition of the First Noel, to middle schoolers Abbey Sietsema and London Keane's duet performance of Oh Come All Ye Faithful. The concert was a Christmas treat, as always.

I must make it a point to highlight the exceptional performances of Hunter Moore, whose Trumpet Solo performance of Ave Marie was exceptional. This was just one of many moments where Moore displayed his musical talent and dedication. Watching him blossom as a musician from year to year has been a highlight of concerts over the past few years, and I look forward to see him continue to grow in years to come.

Both concerts were streamed to the Big Sandy Schools' Facebook page and can be viewed there.