CHS Band, Swing Choir, and Concert Choir shine at annual Christmas Concert
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – Steve Colonel and his Chester High School Music Department presented their annual Holiday Concert, “The Sounds of the Season” Christmas Concert Monday December 9 at Chester’s Colbert Memorial Gymnasium. The event was a one-hour concert of music performed by the Swing Choir, “Sound Affect”, the Concert Choir, and the CHS Concert Band.
The Swing Choir, otherwise known as, “Sound Affect” was first to perform. This select group included Abigail Carter, Natalie Guethle, Justice Mattingly, Allyna “Ari” Shipley, Jason Sibley, Allyssa Stehl, Bently Valleroy, Elizabeth Wilson, David August, and Megan Zimmer.
“Sound Affect performed four songs to open the show. Song No. 1 was, “Linus and Lucy”, arr. P. Kern. Song No. 2 was, “Let it Snow, Let it Snow Let it Snow”, arr. M. Weir. The third song was “Jingle Bell Rock”, arr. M. Weir, and featured soloist Bently Valleroy. He did very well and received a huge round of applause.
The closer was, “Twas’ the Night Before Christmas”, arr. M. Brymer. “Sound Affect” was a real crowd-pleaser and began the 2024 Christmas Concert with much pleasure and enthusiasm from the large crowd.
The CHS Concert Choir was next to perform. Mr. Colonel described them as “small but mighty.” This group presented three selections and did not disappoint the audience. The first song was titled, “Do You Hear What I Hear”, arr. H. Simeone.
The second number was a crowd favorite and familiar to everyone in attendance. “The First Noel”, arr. by the popular rock group, “Pinkzebra”, was a big hit and stirred the Christmas spirit in everyone.
The Concert Choir closed its portion of the event with a moving version of, “Please Come Home for Christmas”, arr. M. Brymer. This crowd-pleaser opened with an extended solo by Summer Valleroy who received a huge round of applause. This song was a perfect way to close the vocal portion of the evening!
While the band was organizing for their portion of the concert, several seniors passed collection buckets around the gymnasium for the 2024 Chester Area Christian Food Pantry (CACFP) donation project. Each year the District # 139 Music Department collects donations to help support the pantry.
At the Chester Grade School Junior High Christmas Concert the audience donated $471.58. At the CHS Concert $741.00 was collected for a total of $1,212.58.
The Colonels have a donation box at their home (down by the road), in which visitors to their annual Christmas Light Show can drop in monetary donations. This year they even have a bar code which can be used to make donations on line. At the end of the holidays the Colonel’s will add their home donations to the school concert donations and make a big presentation to the CACFP.
Following the monetary collection, the CHS Concert Band began its portion of the show featuring four songs. The band opened with, “Christmas Vacation”, arr. P. Roszell. The second song was titled, “Silent Night”, arr. D. Schaffer.
Prior to finishing the concert with the final two songs, the 2024-25 Band Officers presented Mr. Colonel with a traditional Christmas present made possible from donations from the band and choral members.
This year the students presented Colonel with a basket filled with several items that he will be able to use this summer when the Band and Swing Choir makes their trip to Florida to perform on a Carnival cruise ship and to visit Disney Springs and Universal Studios.
Following the presentation of Mr. Colonel’s gifts basket, the band finished the concert with two selections. One was, “Ukrainian Bell Carol”, arr. R. Saucedo, and the closer was, “Sleigh Ride.” Both songs were real crowd-pleasers and sent the audience home with a heart filled with Christmas spirit.
Before adjourning the 2024 CHS “Sounds of the Season” Holiday Concert, Mr. 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 to 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. We would like to wish you and your family the very merriest of Christmas’s and a Happy and healthy 2025.”
Important dates coming up in 2025 or the CHS Music Department
Saturday March 8: IHSA Solo and Ensemble Contest
Thursday thru Saturday March 20-23: CHS Presents “The Addams Family Musical”
Friday April 11: IHSA Organizational Contest
Thursday May 13: CHS Spring Concert and Awards Night
Jim Beers Report
Steve Colonel, Chester High School Band and Choral Director, addresses the audience at the 2024 CHS Christmas Program, “The Sounds of Christmas”. Jim Beers Photo
Jim Beers Report
The Chester High School Swing Choir, “Sound Affect” prepares to open the 2024 CHS Christmas Concert Monday December 9. The group performed four songs to “kick off” the event, much to the pleasure of a large crowd in attendance. Jim Beers Photo
Jim Beers Report
The boy’s section of the CHS Swing Choir, “Sound Affect” carried the bass and tenor parts in the four-song performance at the 2024 CHS Christmas Concert. Pictured (left to right) are Jason Sibley, David August, and Bentley Valleroy. Jim Beers Photo
Jim Beers Report
Danny Valleroy, a Chester High School freshman, sings a solo in the CHS Christmas Concert Swing Choir “Sound Affect” Monday December 9. Valleroy did an amazing job opening the song, “Jingle Bell Rock”, arr. M. Weir. Jim Beers Photo
Jim Beers Report
The CHS Swing Choir, “Sound Affect” soprano section performs in the opening number of the 2024 CHS Christmas Concert. The tune was titled, “Linus and Lucy”, arr. P. Kern. Jim Beers Photo
Jim Beers Report
Justice Mattingly and Elizabeth Wilson, sing in the CHS Swing Choir, “Sound Affect” in the second song of the night at the 2024 CHS Christmas Concert, “The Sounds of the Season”. The concert was Monday December 9th. The selection was titled, “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow”, arr. M. Weir. Jim Beers Photo
Jim Beers Report
The 2024 CHS Concert Choir performs one of its three songs at the 2024 CHS Christmas Concert Monday December 9th at Colbert Memorial Gymnasium. The group opened with, “Do You Hear What I Hear”, arr. H. Simeone, followed by “The First Noel”, arr. Pinkzebra. The final selection of the night featured soloist, Summer Valleroy in the song, “Please Come Home for Christmas”, arr. M. Brymer. Valleroy is the older sister of Bently Valleroy who soloed earlier in the night in the CHS Swing Choir. Both siblings dd a great job and performed to perfection. Jim Beers Photo
Jim Beers Photo
The CHS Concert Band performs to close out the 2024 “Sounds of the Season” Christmas Concert Monday December 9th. The group featured four selections including, “Christmas Vacation”, arr. P. Rozell”; “Silent Night”, arr. D. Shaffer; Ukrainian Bell Carol”, arr. R. Saucedo; and Sleigh Ride”, arr. L. Anderson. The Concert Band did a fantastic job of closing out the concert and sent everyone home filled with the Christmas spirit. Jim Beers Photo
Jim Beers Report
Chester High School Band students, Addison “Addie” Gottschammer, Jaden Lopez, and Will Welge, present Steve Colonel. CHS Band and Choral Director, with his Christmas present from the CHS Band and Choral students. This year’s gift included several items that Mr. Colonel can use on the 2025 Band and Swing Choir trip to Florida when the groups will perform on a Carnival Cruise ship and then visit Disney Springs and Universal Studios. Shown here Mr. Colonel models his new beach hat and Addie shows off his new swim trunks. Jim Beers Photo