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Health & Fitness

RCDS Holiday Concerts Close Out 2013!

This year, the RCDS Music Department presented two wonderful Holiday Concerts that put everyone in a festive mood.  The beautiful settings, eye-catching costumes, and joyful voices created a perfect close to 2013 and the beginning of winter break.  

On December 17, students in grades three to eight performed in the annual Holiday Concert that featured instrumental ensembles and grade level choirs. The audience was treated to many popular, classic holiday selections, performed in a variety of styles.  The evening began with the fifth grade choir’s rendition of Christmas Chopsticks and Santa's On His Way, accompanied by duet pianist Christopher Hall ’16.

The sixth grade's Hot Chocolate, accompanied by Max Kyrillos ’14 and Will Hilfiker ’16 on guitar and Christian Molnar ’15 on drums, was a real crowd-pleaser.  The audience also enjoyed the fourth grade’s Parade of the Wooden Solders, which has become a much-anticipated RCDS holiday tradition. The Upper School Men’s Chorus performed the fan favorite Twelve Days of Christmas and the Upper School Ladies’ Chorus sang about the often over looked Mrs. Claus. The “Holiday Special” Concert Band wowed the crowd with Colors of Christmas.

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The evening would not be complete without the entire production and audience singing White Christmas by Irving Berlin, another RCDS tradition that has been in effect since the song gained popularity in the early 1940s.

The next morning, the Beginner, First and Second grades performed in the traditional Holiday Children’s Concert featuring a variety of holiday favorites. The concert began with a rousing rendition of The Star Spangled Banner by the second grade level choir. The Beginner’s grade level choir sang an adorable version of another Irving Berlin classic I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm and the first grade level Hand Bell Choir played Ding Dong Merrily on High.

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After a surprise visit from Santa Claus, the concert ended with the entire room singing the traditional English Carol We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

The hard work of Musical Directors Cynthia Klemm (Upper School Men’s Chorus, Lower School Chorus and grade level choirs 3,4,5,6), Anna Roberts with Tom Scott as accompanist (Upper School Ladies’ Chorus) and Robert J. Hamm (“Holiday Special” Concert Band, Children’s Concert) was appreciated by all who attended. As Department Chair, Mr. Hamm also coordinated both concert events.

Special thanks also goes to the following faculty members for their invaluable assistance in making the Holiday Concerts a success: Homeroom teachers in grades 3,4,5,6 (Holiday Concert); Classroom teachers in the Beginner, first and second grades (Holiday Children’s Concert); Michelle Silbert for teaching some choreography to the fifth grades; and Ellen Wilson for teaching sign language to the Lower School Chorus.

In addition, Alana Kirman and Sue Leslie created the beautiful Holiday Programs, and Jay Monprode and the entire maintenance team provided expert assistance in moving risers and equipment for several large-scale rehearsals. Donna Gibson led a crew of parent volunteers who decorated the beautiful stage and the Beginner class moms helped to create the hearts.

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