6th Grade Band, Junior High Choir and Junior High Band performs to packed house
By Jim Beers Contributing Writer
CHESTER — The Chester Grade School Music Department presented its 2022 Christmas Concert Thursday December 1. The event was held at the Chester High School Colbert Gymnasium in order to accommodate the large crowd that always attends the program.
The event stated at 6:30 p.m. and featured the CGS 6th Grade Band, Junior High Choir, and Junior High Band. All three groups had the spotlight in order and demonstrated the excellent job that CGS Band Director, Sue Colonel and Choir Director, Steve Colonel have done to prepare the students for their center-stage performances.
The first segment of the concert featured the 6th Grade Band, under the direction of Sue Colonel. This group performed three selections including “Christmas Mash-Up”, by L. Clark; “Somewhere in My Memory”, arr. P. Lavender; and “Nuttin’ for Christmas”, arr. M. Story.
This being the second year for the 6th graders to perform, it was quite noticeable that these fine young musicians have improved significantly since the 2021 Christmas Concert.
Mrs. Colonel said. “I am very proud of this group for the amount of improvement they had demonstrated since last year. They work hard and really enjoy performing. I know that their hard work and practice can been seen tonight in their performance.”
The next segment of the concert featured the Junior High Choir directed by Steve Colonel and accompanied by Jane Kruse. This vocal group performed three songs for the audience including “Believe” from the popular screen favorite, “Polar Express”. The song was arranged by M. Hayes.
The second selection was titled, “Still, Still, Still” with Brahms’s Lullaby, arr. P. Keveren.
The Choir closed its portion of the show with the well-known Christmas Carrol, “Do You Hear What I Hear”, arr. H. Simone.
Mr. Colonel was very happy with the Junior High Choir’s performance and noted how much they worked to prepare for the evening’s singing.
Prior to the final segment of the concert the CGS Music Department conducted a good-will offering with donations being earmarked for the Chester Area Christian Food Pantry (CACFP). Mr. Colonel noted that this annual tradition has helped to support the Food Pantry for many years and is greatly appreciated by CACFP Manager, Bob Koenegstein. This year’s collection netted $512.75.
Rounding out the concert was the Junior High Band, once again under the direction of CGS Band Director, Sue Colonel. The band played, “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers”, arr. E. Osterling to start the show, followed by “Christmas Star, arr. R. Longfield. Rounding out the concert the Junior High Band performed the popular and well-liked Christmas song, “Feliz Navidad.”
The Junior High Christmas Concert was well-received by the large crowd in attendance and was a great way to get the Christmas season started.
In the photos:
The Chester Grade School Junior High Choir performs under the direction of Steve Colonel. The choir performed three selections for the 2022 CGS Christmas Concert including “Believe”, from the Polar Express; “Still, Still, Still”, with Brahm’s Lullaby; and “Do You Hear What I Hear?”
The Chester Grade School Junior High Band performs at the 2022 CGS Junior High Christmas Concert Thursday December 1. The group played three songs for the overflow crowd including “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers”; Christmas Star”; and Feliz Navidad”. The band was under the direction of Sue Colonel and did a wonderful job of performing for the very large crowd on hand to “kick-off” the holiday season. Jim Beers Photo
CGS Band and General Music Director, Sue Colonel, and accompanist, Jane Kruse, are introduced prior to the beginning of the 2022 Chester Grade School Junior High Christmas Concert. Jim Beers Photo
The CGS 6th Grade Band performs under the direction of Sue Colonel at the 2022 Junior High Christmas Concert. THe group p;layed three songs including “Christmas Mash Up”; “Somewhere in My Memory”; and “Nuttin’ for Christmas”. Jim Beers Photo
Steve Colonel., Chester Grade School Vocal Music Instructor and Junior High Choir Director addresses the large crowd on hand at the 2022 Junior High Christmas Concert. In addition to directing the Junior High Choir in three holiday vocal selections during the middle of the concert, Colonel conducted a free-will offering with proceeds going to the Chester Area Christian Food Pantry. The traditional offering raised $512.00 at the 2022 Christmas Concert. Jim Beers Photo