‘An Annual Holiday Concert’ sets the tone for the Christmas Season
By Jim Beers, Contributing Writer
CHESTER — Monday December 12 the Chester High School Music Department presented its annual holiday concert titled, “The Sounds of the Season”. The event featured the CHS Concert Choir, the CHS Swing Choir, “Sound Affect”, as well as the CHS Concert Band.
Steve Colonel, Chester High School Band Director and Choral Director was Master of Ceremonies for the evening and welcomed everyone to the event. Colbert Memorial Gymnasium at CHS was the host facility and a large crowd was on hand to enjoy the final of three, District No. 139 Music Department Christmas programs.
Colonel said, “The members of the CHS Music Department would like to thank you for joining us this evening. Your continued support over the years has helped the Music Department at Chester High School become not only one of the best programs in Southern Illinois, but one of the best programs in a school of our size in the entire State of Illinois.”
The program began with three songs performed by the CHS Concert Choir. Mr. Colonel directed this ensemble and former CGS and CHS Choral Director, Jane Kruse was accompanist for the group.
The first song was, “Winter’s Path”, by A.F. Bernon. Next was, “Hanukkah, Season of Joy!”, by M. Weston. Colonel explained that this song helped to expose the students to a multi-faceted seasonal song to provide a more rounded educational experience.
The third song was from a well-known popular Christmas movie, “Home Alone 2” titled, “Christmas Star”, arranged by T. Fettke & T. Grassi.
To close out the first of three segments of the program, the Concert Choir sang another very popular, well known Christmas carol titled, “Carol of the Bells”, arranged by P. Wilhousky. This was a particularly difficult selection that was performed by the Choir by perfection.
Colonel praised the efforts and hard work put forth by this group of students and said that they undoubtedly set the bar very high for the rest of the concert with the excellence demonstrated by their performance.
The CHS Swing Choir, “Sound Affect” performed the second portion of the three-part concert directed by Steve Colonel. This select group of young vocalists sang and danced their way through three selections, accompanied by CD’s.
The first song was “Like it was Christmas”, arranged by M. Huff. Next was “Happy Christmas (War is Over)”, arranged by M. Brymer. This performance featured four soloists including Amanda Kennon, Chelsea August, Julia Venus, and Ace Smith.
The Swing Choir segment was concluded with the world-famous and well-liked music from the popular Christmas movie “The Grinch.” This performance was a medley of “Grinch tunes titled, “Grinch! A Christmas Medley”, arranged by A. Beck. Featured soloists included Jaden Lopez and Rylie McDonough.
The “Sound Affect” portion of any concert is always well-liked due to the great singing and choreographed dance moves. This year’s Christmas concert was no exception as the select group dazzled the audience throughout the segment.
During the annual Christmas Concert Mr. Colonel always maintains a tradition of conducting a free-will offering to benefit the Chester Area Christian Food Pantry (CACFP). This year’s concert offering netted the CACFP a total of $818.41, graciously given by those in attendance at the concert.
Following the concert well-known local physician, Dr. James Krieg came forward and informed Mr. Colonel that he was going to match the amount donated by concert-goers. Therefore Dr. Krieg matched the original $818.41 amount creating a total 2022 donation of $1,636.82 from the CHS Music Department.
As usual, the high school concert and the grade school donations are always combined to make an even bigger donation to the CACFP. On Thursday December 1 the Chester Grade School Junior High Concert collected $512.75. That amount was added to the CHS amount of $1,636.82 to total $2,149.57 for the CACFP.
As if that wasn’t enough, the Colonel Family always collects donations from individuals throughout the Christmas season as people drive by their incredibly decorated house and property.
This event has become a popular attraction due to the ever-increasing depth and beauty of Colonel’s lighted display. This year, the Colonel’s collected $480.00 during their drive-by activities. That amount was added to the previous amount to create a total of $2,629.57.
Finally, on the week of Christmas at the monthly CACFP Mobile Market, at which the food pantry distributes free food to food pantry clients, a volunteer donated $100 to the annual Colonel’s free-will offerings to create a grand total of $2,729.57 that was donated to the Chester Area Christian Food Pantry via the efforts of the Colonel’s and fellow supporters of the Chester District # 139 Music Programs.
Following the free-will offering, members of the CHS band and choral groups presented Mr. Colonel with their traditional Christmas gifts. The gifts vary from year-to year in both style and value. This year the students gave Mr. Colonel a handmade hat and tickets to the St. Louis Symphony to hear the “Home Alone” concert on December 22. That engagement had to be canceled, so Mr. Colonel received a credit to see a future St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) show.
The final portion of the 2022 CHS Christmas Program featured the CHS Concert Band performing four selections to close the concert.
The first selection was “A Mad Russian’s Christmas, arranged by B. Phillips & G. Megaw. Next was, “Do You Hear What I Hear”, arranged by J. Bocook. The third song performed by the band was a popular, long-loved tune titled, “Greensleeves”, arranged by A. Reed. The Concert Band concluded the concert with the ever-popular Christmas favorite, “Sleigh Ride”, written by L. Anderson.
Important upcoming Music Department dates include: Saturday March 4, 2023: IHSA Solo and Ensemble Contest; Friday April 14: IHSA Organizational Contest; and Tuesday May 9: 2023 CHS Spring Concert and Awards Night.
In the photos:
Steve Colonel. Chester High School Band and Choral Director welcomes everyone to the 2022 CHS Christmas Program, “The Sounds of the Season” Monday December 12 at CHS Colbert Memorial Gymnasium. Jim Beers Photo
The Chester High School Swing Choir, “Sound Affect” closes out its portion of the concert with “Grinch! A Christmas Choral Medley”. Jim Beers Photo
The Chester High School Concert Band, under the direction of Steve Colonel, performs “Sleigh Ride” by L. Anderson to close the 2022 CHS Christmas Concert Monday December 12 at CHS Colbert Memorial Gymnasium. Jim Beers Photo
The CHS Senior Band members collect a free will offering to be donated to the Chester Area Christian Food Pantry (CACFP. The annual donation helps to feed people in need in the Chester area. This year’s total donation included $2,729.57 when the offerings from the CHS and CGS Concerts were added to a matching gift from Dr. James Krieg of Chester, money collected by Steve and Sue Colonel from their drive by holiday light display, and a single donation from a volunteer at the December CACFP Mobile Market. This tradition of collecting donations for the CACFP was started by and continues to be coordinated by the Colonel’s. Jim Beers Photo
Steve Colonel, CHS Choir Director, directs the CHS Concert Choir to open the 2022 CHS Christmas Program, “The Sounds of Christmas”. The Concert Choir performed four selections to perfection to set the bar very high for the remainder of the concert. Jim Beers Photo
CHS Senior Drum Major, Sydney Collins, along with seniors Chelsea August and Mikayla Straight, present Steve Colonel, CHS Band and Choral Director with a traditional gift from all of the musicians and vocalists at CHS. This year’s gift included a handmade hat, tickets to the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) production of “Home Alone”, along with other small gifts. Jim Beers Photo