‘The Sounds of the Season’ receives great approval from large audience at Colbert Gymnasium
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – The Chester High School Music Department, under the direction of Mr. Steve Colonel, held its “Annual Holiday Concert” otherwise known as, “The Sounds of the Season” on Monday December 11 at CHS Colbert Gymnasium.
Steve Colonel, CHS Band and Choral Director, addresses the large crowd at the 2023 CHS Christmas Concert. Notice his brand new, bright red Cardinal Crocs that the students had just presented to him at the concert as part of his 2023 Christmas Gift package. In addition he received a $100 gift certificate to purchase tickets for any musical to be presented at the St. Louis Fox Theatre. Finally, the band students also gave him an engraved director’s baton that stated one of his favorite sayings, “The next performance…better than the last!” Jim Beers Photo
The popular event began at 6:30 p.m. and lasted approximately one hour. The program featured three holiday selections from each of the three Music Department groups including the CHS Concert Choir, the CHS Swing Choir “Sound Affect”, and the CHS Concert Band.
The CHS swing choir, “Sound Affect” performs at the 2023 CHS Christmas Concert. Jim Beers Photo
Mr. Colonel organized and prepared the various selections for the event and local pianist, Vicky Beers, served as Accompanist for the Concert Choir. The entire concert was directed by Mr. Colonel.
Chester High School swing choir member, Toby Gercis performs her solo in the opening number of the 2023 CHS Christmas Concert. Jim Beers Photo
The CHS Concert Choir began the concert with a favorite Christmas song, “Mary Did You Know” arr. T. Fettke. It was a great way to start the concert putting everyone in the proper Christmas spirit.
CHS junior, Mirra Krieg, sings her solo in the opening song of the swing choir portion of the 2023 CHS Christmas Concert. Jim Beers Photo
Another, not-so-familiar, song, “Where Are You Christmas”, arr. M. Huff, was the second tune performed by the Concert Choir. It was well-received by the audience and performed to perfection. This performance featured two soloists including Megan Zimmer and Jessica Ixcoy. Both did a wonderful job and brought the house down.
The Chester High School Concert Choir opens the 2023 Chester High School Christmas Concert with the tune, “Mary Did You Know”, arr. T.Fettke. Jim Beers Photo
The Concert Choir rounded its portion of the program with a very familiar and popular song that has roused Christmas spirit for more than half-a-century, especially with children. “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”, arr. J.D. Smith was a real crowd-pleaser. This song roused the crown and was a perfect way to close the first segment of the concert. It sure left the audience wanting more.
CHS Concert Choir member, Megan Zimmer, performs a solo in the song, “Where are You Christmas”, arr. M. Huff. Jim Beers Photo
Immediately following the Concert Choir, Mr. Colonel, and several of the senior band and choral students engaged the audience in taking part in the supporting the local Chester Area Christian Food Pantry.
Jessica Ixcoy, a member of the Chester High School Concert Choir, sings a solo in the second number of the Concert Choir portion of the 2023 CHS Christmas Convert. Jim Beers Photo
Colonel said, “There is always a tremendous need for help in this area, and we hope you will be generous in your support as we help provide food this holiday season for families right here in Chester.”
CHS “Sound Affect” member, Hannah Kaempfe sings the second solo in the tune, “One More Sleep” at the 2023 CHS Christmas Concert. Jim Beers Photo
The Annual project, coordinated by Mr. and Mrs. Colonel, provides much-needed financial support for the pantry. The 2023 CGS Christmas Concert collected $556.41 for the pantry and the 2023 CHS Christmas Concert collected $794.40, for a total of 1,350.81 collected by audience members at both concerts.
Haley Hoskin, a member of the Chester High School swing choir, “Sound Affect”, performs her solo in the song, “One More Sleep”, arr. M. Huff, at the 2023 CHS Christmas Concert. Jim Beers Photo
That total will be added to monies that the Colonel’s will collect from community members that visit their Annual Holiday Christmas Light Display that has become such a favorite holiday activity over the last several Christmas seasons.
The Chester High School Concert Band gets ready to perform three holiday selections at the 2023 CHS Christmas Concert, “The Sounds of the Season”. Jim Beers Photo
The second portion of the “Sounds of the Season Holiday Concert” presented by the Chester High School Music Department featured three selections performed by the Chester High School swing choir, “Sound Affect”.
CHS “Sound Affect” member, Ary Shipley, sings a solo in the song, “One More Sleep” at the 2023 CHS Christmas Concert. Jim Beers Photo
The first song titled, “One More Sleep”, arr. M. Huff, featured vocalists, Mirra Krieg, Hannah Kaempfe, Toby Gercis, Ary Shipley, and Haley Hoskin. The song was a great way to begin the swing choir portion of the program and was well received. The soloists did a wonderful job and the supporting cast was fantastic.
Chester High School senior Isaiah Roth, a CHS Drum Major, collects donation buckets at the 2023 CHS Christmas Concert. The Band and Chorus were collecting donations for the Chester Area Christian Food Pantry and raised $749.40. Jim Beers Photo
Next on the program was another pleasing tune, titled, “Glow”, arr. E. Lojeski. The CHS
“Sound Affect” closed its portion of the evening by performing, “Underneath the Tree”, arr. E. Lojeski.
Chester High School senior band and chorus members presented Steve Colonel, CHS Band and Choral Director, with several gifts at the 2023 CHS Christmas Concert. Pictured (left to right) are Josalynn Anaya, Chloe Miller, Hannah Kaempfe, Isaiah Roth, and Rylie McDonough. All band and chorus members chipped in and bought Mr. Colonel an engraved directors baton, a pair of Cardinal red Crocs, and a $100 gift certificate to the Fox Theatre in St. Louis to see a musical of his choice. Jim Beers Photo
It might be mentioned that the swing choir not only sings, but performs to choreography which makes the performances all the more enjoyable and entertaining. “Sound Affect” was extremely enjoyed by everyone in attendance and had lots of toes tapping and brought lots of smiles to the faces of audience members.
Prior to the start of the CHS Concert Band performance, several senior band and choral members conducted the traditional gift giving ceremony that began more than 50 years ago at the annual CHS Christmas Programs.
Band and chorus members have traditionally given Christmas gifts to the current band director at some point in the Christmas Concert. This year, the students “chipped-in” and gave Mr. Colonel thee gifts.
First was a bringht red pair of St. Louis Cardinal’s Crocs. Next was an engraved Director’s Baton with Mr. Colonel’s favorite saying, “Next Performance Better than the Last”. Finally, a $100 St. Louis Fox Theatre gift card with which to help purchase tickets for a musical of Mr. Colonel’s choice.
To close out the program, the CHS Concert Band performed three songs, the first of which was titled, (There’s No Place Like) “Home for the Holidays”, arr. L. Clark. The second song was titled, “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24”, arr. B. Phillips and G. Megaw. Closing out the show was a Steve Colonel traditional closer, “Sleigh Ride”, by L. Anderson.
Following the concert, Colonel commented, “”The performances exceeded all of my hopes and expectations. Many people have told me that they thought this was one of our best ever Christmas Concerts.”
“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 of Illinois.”
Important Music Department dates to remember in the second half of the school year include:
Saturday March 2, 2024: IHSA Solo and Ensemble Contest
Thursday through Saturday March 14-16, 2024: CHS presents , “The Pajama Game”
Friday April 12, 2024: IHSA Organizational Contest
Tuesday May 7, 2024: CHS Spring Concert and Awards Night