Emerson J. Middle School fifth- and sixth-grade students spread holiday cheer through music during their winter concert, held Dec. 9 in the John C. Birdlebough High School auditorium.
The fifth-grade band kicked off the night by going back to musical basics of good posture, beginning notes and keeping time. Band director Liza Grethel paused the performance to share with audience members that for every 100 minutes of band practice, parents are encouraged to send in 25 cents with their child. That money is collected for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York. Former Wish recipient Chase Carbonaro, a band member, said the foundation sent him to Walt Disney World. He encouraged audience members to donate that night.
Other concert highlights included the fifth-and sixth-grade combined chorus singing the traditional French Christmas carol, “Noel Nouvelet,” and the sixth-grade band’s collection of spoken words and instrumental holiday songs.
Both the chorus director Shirley Kelly and Sixth-grade Band Director Kim Gould said they were proud of their students for their hard work and dedication.