CGS Junior High Christmas Concert is quality event

The Chester Grade School Music Department held its annual Junior High Christmas Concert on December 3. The event featured the sixth grade band, the junior high chorus and the junior high band.

This year marked the first year that Steve and Sue Colonel hosted a music concert together since they came to Chester as Band and Choral directors 21 years ago.

With the absence of Zeb Holder this year due to a reduction in force, Steve Colonel is now coming to CGS from Chester High School every other day to teach and conduct the Junior High Chorus.

Sue Colonel now meets once a week with the kindergarten through fourth grades for General Music and she directs all of the CGS bands. Steve Colonel still has responsibility for all bands and choral groups at Chester High School.

The concert began with three songs performed by the sixth grade band, under the direction of Sue Colonel. Each song throughout the concert was introduced by various students.

The first song was, "Santa's Toy March," arr. Sean O'Loughlin. The second song was, "Kings from the East," arr. Mark Williams.

The band concluded its portion of the concert by performing a light and funny tune titled, "Nuttin' for Christmas."

The Junior High Chorus, under the direction of Steve Colonel, took center stage next. This group of singers performed three songs while accompanied by Vicky Beers on piano.

The first performance was titled "When Christmas Comes to Town," arr. Alan Billingsley. The second performance was "Dona Nobis Pacem," arr. Hal Hopson.

The final vocal performance was "Please Don't Sing another Fa La La!" by Greg Gilpin.

The Junior High Band program concluded with four selections performed by the Junior High Band, directed by Sue Colonel.

Students introduced each song by name and game a brief description of what was about to be performed.

The first song was titled "Santa's Big Adventure," by David Shafer. Followed by "Lullaby for Christmas," arr. S. Feldstein and L. Clark.

The third instrumental number was the popular, well known tune "Feliz Navidad," arr. Michael Brown.

To conclude the concert, the Junior High Band performed "The Night Before Christmas," arr. James Swearingen.

Six junior high band members served as narrators for the various sections of this performance. Narrators included, Eli Makriokow, Mallary Vasquez, Lily Koch, Sierra Hamilton, Ariel Throop and Melody Colonel.

Concertgoers were encouraged to bring canned goods which were donated to the local Chester Area Christian Food Pantry.

The combined sixth grade band, junior high band and CHS Marching Yellow Jackets band marched in the Lighted Parade on Dec. 4 as part of Chester's Christmas on the River Celebration.

The next morning, the CHS Band played for the arrival of Santa Claus on the Chester Riverfront.

The CGS grades one through four Christmas program was to be held Thursday, December 10, at Chester High School.

The CHS Christmas Program takes place Monday, December 14, at Colbert Gymnasium beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Music Patrons Fruit Fundraiser will be available for pick-up on Wednesday, December 16, for all eighth grade band members who sold fruit.

The pickup times are from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Chester High School Band Room.