“Christmas at the Movies” was huge crowd pleaser!
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – The 1st through 4th Grade 2023 Christmas Program was a huge success.
Chester Grade School General Music Teacher, Sue Colonel, addresses the large crowd on hand for the 2023 CGS 1st thru 4th Grade Christmas Program. Mrs. Colonel organized and directed the program the evening of the event. Jim Beers Photo
This year’s title and theme was, “Christmas at the Movies” and featured songs that were associated with famous classic Christmas movies that were popular throughout the years.
4th Grade announcer, Jackson Conway, introduces the 2nd Grade selection, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” at the 2023 CGS Elementary Christmas Program. Jim Beers Photo
Program creator and Director was Sue Colonel, Chester Grade School Band Director and General Music teacher. Accompanist was Vicky Beers with Steve Colonel as music page turner.
Local pianist Vicky Beers served as accompanist for the 2023 CGS 1st thru 4th Grade Christmas Program. Assisting her with page turning was Steve Colonel, CHS Band and Choral Director. Jim Beers Photo
Ten 4th Grade students were selected to introduce the ten respective songs that were performed in the program. Prior to the beginning of each performance, the spokesperson introduced the song and gave a brief presentation about the song’s origin and content.
4th Graders sing, “When Christmas Comes to Town” at the 2023 CGS 1st thru 4th Grade Christmas Program. Jim Beers Photo
The following student-spokespersons are listed in order of their of their appearance and presentations: Sophia Bogard, Katelyn Middendorf, Ady Caron, Bree Johnson, Violet Carter, Braxtyn Rensing, Jude Medrano, Jackson Conway, Wylin Sullivan, and Cruzlyn Davis.
CGS 1st and 2nd Grade teachers supervise the 2023 CGS 1st thru 4th Grade Christmas Program. Jim Beers Photo
Bill Grafton, CGS Principal gave a hearty welcome to a full house of excited parents, family members and others who came to enjoy the program and Assistant Principal, Tim Blair, was on hand to help supervise and reinforce students for providing an excellent musical and theatrical performance.
4th Grade announcer Violet Carter introduces the combined 1st through 4th Grade selection titled, “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” at the 2023 CGS Elementary Christmas Program. Jim Beers Photo
Mr. Grafton announced that to begin the show, everyone should please stand and join the students in beginning the program by continuing a long-time, established tradition of singing the National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner”, to open the show.
3rd and 4th Grade teachers supervise the 2023 Chester Grade School Elementary Christmas Program that featured 1st thru 4th Grade students. Jim Beers Photo
With the completion of that traditional beginning, the 1st Graders performed, “Santa Clause is Coming to Town”. Immediately following that performance a combined 1st and 2nd Grade chorus sang, “We are Santa’s Elves”, complete with choreography.
1st Grade students sing, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” at the 2023 Chester Grade School 1st thru 4th Grade Christmas Program. Jim Beers Photo
Mrs. Colonel then moved to the other side of the staging area and directed the 3rd Graders in singing, “Somewhere in My Memory”. To complete the first half of the program, Mrs. Colonel led the entire cast of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, Graders in performing one of the most popular and well-known Christmas songs ever known, “Rudolph the Red Nosed reindeer.”
CGS Principal Bill Grafton welcomes everyone to the 2023 Chester Grade School 1st thru 4th Grade Christmas Program. He then led the singing of the National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner”. Jim Beers Photo
Following the group performance, the 3rd and 4th Graders joined forces to sing, “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch”. That was a real crowd pleaser!
Chester Grade School 2nd Graders sing, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” at the 2023 CGS 1st thru 4th Grade Christmas Program. Jim Beers Photo
Mrs. Colonel then brought the attention back to the left side of the performance area as she featured the combined 1st and 2nd Graders in singing, “Holly Jolly Christmas”.
The 3rd Graders were featured at the 2023 Chester Grade School 1st thru 4th Grade Christmas Program when they performed, “Somewhere in My Memory”. Jim Beers Photo
Grade 2 then took the spotlight as they performed the popular rock-n-roll holiday tune, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”. This performance was enjoyed by all.
The 4th Graders followed with their featured solo performance of, “When Christmas Comes to Town”. The experienced 4th Graders did a fantastic job of carrying out their performance including not only singing, but choreography.
A combined 3rd and 4rth Grade group sang, “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch”. Jim Beers Photo
To close out the program, Mrs. Colonel featured the entire cast, 1st through 4th Grade, in performing, “Feliz Navidad”.
1st thru 4th Grade teachers and staff assisted with reinforcement of the learning of the various song that the children performed at the program with in-class practices leading up to the actual performance. Those teachers and staff members include:
1st Grade: Ali Bierman, Rachel Marshall, Priscilla Martinez, and Jessica Whiteside.
2nd Grade: Karson Colvis, Alissa Herrell, Kasi Jany, and Amanda Middendorf.
3rd Grade: Rebecca Gielow, Stephanie Kennedy, and Mandi Lochhead.
4th Grade: Stephanie Jany, Meg Schnoeker, and Sara Surman.
Special Education: Lynne Gonzalez, Esther Higgerson, and Rachel Francis.
Para-Professionals: Gina Hafertepe, Brandy Gendron, Jamie Davis, and Lisa Ketchum.
The 2023 Chester Grade School Christmas Program performed by the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Grade students was definitely a huge success and Mrs. Colonel is to be commended for her expertise in preparing the students for the performance.
Each year the elementary students and their innocence help to bring the Christmas spirit to the community. The excellence of the programming brings positive attention and admiration to Chester Grade School as well as to Mrs. Colonel and the teachers and staff.