By Jim Beers, Contributing Writer
CHESTER — Thursday December 2 was a festive night at the 2021 Chester Grade School Junior High Christmas Concert. Sue Colonel, Band Director and Steve Colonel, Choir Director were excited to return to “live” performances and students, parents and family members were ready to experience “live” entertainment.
The Chester Grade School Junior High Band performs at the 2021 CGS Jr. High Christmas Concert Thursday December 2. The band, under the direction of Sue Colonel, performed four Christmas selections for a packed house and was well received. Jim Beers Photo
The event took place at Chester High School’s Colbert Gymnasium on Rocky Bridges Court. The venue was big enough to seat a large crowd and still offer social distancing.
The concert featured the three veteran music groups at CGS including the 6th Grade Band, the Junior High Chorus and the Junior High Band which includes 7th and 8th grade musicians.
The 6th Grade Band of Chester Grade School performs at the CGS Jr. High Christmas Concert December 2. The event was held at Chester High School’s Colbert Gym to offer more comfortable seating a social distancing. The group played three Christmas songs to kick off the concert. Jim Beers Photo
The first group to perform was the 6th Grade Band under the direction of Sue Colonel. The repertoire included three holiday attractions including “A Rather Bumpy Sleigh Ride”, by Mekel Rogers; “Welcome Christmas”, arr. D. Wagner; and “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, by M. Story.
The 6th graders did a wonderful job of performing these three selections and were met with loud applause and delightful faces on everyone in the crowded audience.
Sue Colonel, CGS Band Director, introduces the Junior High Band at the 2021 CGS Christmas Concert. The band played four songs including “A Festival of Carols”; “Greensleeves”; “Christmas Island”‘; and “The Night Before Christmas”. Jim Beers Photo
The next group to perform was the Junior High Chorus under the direction of Steve Colonel. Accompanist was Vicky Beers. The choir sang a trio of Christmas songs including, “Gloria”, arr. J. Purifoy; “Silent Night”, arr. R. Schram; and “Yule Be Swingin’”, arr. M. Huff.
Mr. Colonel had the choir in full swing as they performed the well-known Christmas songs that were favorites of most concert attendees. After rehearsing under somewhat strained conditions at times the past year due to Covid restrictions, the junior high students rebounded on stage for the first time in almost two years and wowed the large group of parents and family members in attendance.
Prior to the final group’s performance, Mr. and Mrs. Colonel asked everyone in the audience to please donate to the Annual Christmas Collection that benefits the Chester Area Christian Food Pantry.
Mr. Colonel said, “Last year we were unable to have our collection since the Christmas Concert had to be cancelled due to Covid closings. The food pantry is especially busy this time of year and pantry manager, Bob Koenegstein really appreciates our donation so he and pantry staff can purchase food items necessary to feed client-families at Christmas.”
Plastic ice cream buckets were passed throughout the audience and most concert-goers were very gracious with their donations which will be given to the CACFP to help get patrons fed at Christmas time.
The final group to perform at the concert was the Junior High Band, manned by the most veteran, experienced musicians at CGS.
The Junior High Band played four familiar Christmas songs, including, “A Festival of Carols”, arr. R. Standridge; “Greensleeves”, arr. M. Sweeney; “Christmas Island”, arr. J. Kazik; and “The Night Before Christmas”, arr. J. Swearingen.
All four selections were thoroughly enjoyed by the huge audience and the musicians had a grand time performing “live” for the crowd.
The Colonel’s reminded the parents in attendance of four very important musical events and corresponding dates including:
IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest in March of 2022 (Specific dates and times TBA);
IGSMA “State” Solo and Ensemble Contest and IGSMA “State” Organizational Contest in April of 2022 (Specifics TBA); CGS Spring Concert at CHS Colbert Gymnasium, Wednesday April 27, 2022; and CHS Spring Concert Tuesday May 10, 2022.
The Colonel’s strongly encouraged music students to considering preparing instrumental and vocal solos and ensemble performances for these upcoming IGSMA Contests.