Tis the season to be jolly…With the auditorium filled with holiday spirit, Carver instrumentalists and vocalists took to the stage at the CMHS auditorium on several evenings.  On December 9^th, Mr. Jeremy Teunis and the High School concert band captivated the audience with their musical selections to kick off the holiday season. With such pieces as “All is Calm”,  “A Christmas Declaration” and “Where Eagles Soar”, the band surely kept the holiday cheer among the crowd.  Included in the magical evening, the A Capella Ensemble soloist Megan Cullity sang beautifully the song “Stand by Me” followed by soloists Makayla Adams and Liam Borgeson who together sang “Hit the Road, Jack”.  The Symphonic Band kept the momentum of the evening with their musical selections “Ascend” and the all time classic “Sleigh Ride”.  The Jazz Ensemble continued to maintain the joy of the evening with their pieces, “Cousin Mary”, “Doxy”, and “Jungle Boogie”.  The enjoyable evening was one to remember as the families and students gather at the end of the program.

On December 10^th, the Elementary School’s new band director, Mr. Paul Howard, led the fifth grade advanced band in magnificently playing holiday songs including “A Christmas Sleigh Ride” and the classic “Jingle Bells”. With only eight practice sessions, the advanced band demonstrated their dedication and their hard work. Mrs. Giokas and the choral group also kept the audience in the holiday spirit with such songs as “The Most Wonderful Time of Year“ , “Deck the Halls” and “The Breath of Winter” to name just a few. The families and students expressed such joy as the evening came to a close.

On December 16^th, with a packed auditorium, Mr. Teunis and the Middle School band filled the room with music from the hit movie “The Polar Express”, along with musical selections entitled “African Noel”, “Bobsled Run”, and another all time classic “Jingle Bells” along with several other selections.  Included in the evening of celebration was Ms. Sjolin and her choral group as they performed arrangements  “Pie Jesu”, “Canticum Novum”, and their personal favorite “Flight of the Grackles”.  Their enthusiasm was clearly recognized by the audience.  To end the evening, the Crusader Big Band took to the stage to play “Blues in Hoss Flat”.  Friends and families appeared to have enjoyed three delightful evenings with the young, talented music students of their community. If you were unable to attend these terrific events, be sure to look for the evenings next year. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Photos of the concerts may be viewed and purchased at http://hyperionphoto.us/School/Music

“Music is the universal language of mankind” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Submitted by Kristen Shott.