6th Grade Band and Junior High band perform to perfection
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – The Chester Grade School Band Christmas Concert was performed to perfection under the direction of Sue Colonel, Band Director. This year’s Christmas extravaganza featured the 6th Grade Concert Band and the Junior High Concert Band.
Most unfortunately, this year Chorus was eliminated from the CGS curriculum, and that beautiful portion from the traditional CGS Christmas Concert was dreadfully missing. The bands, however, made up for the missing choral portion of the program by performing four selections instead of thee, and they performed very well and with confidence and enthusiasm.
Sue Colonel, Chester Grade School Band Director, addresses the large crowd on hand at the 2023 CGS Junior High Christmas Concert. Jim Beers Photo
CGS Principal, Bill Grafton welcomed everyone to the 2023 concert and expressed how much the musicians had prepared for the event and how much effort had been put into daily rehearsal. He thanked parents for attending the concert and asked everyone to please enjoy the performances.
The 6th Grade Band began the concert by performing “A Festive Fanfare” by Brian Balmages. Another familiar song, “Silver Bells, arr. Paul Lavender, was the second song on the program and was well-liked by all.
A large crowd was on hand at the 2023 Chester Grade School Jr, High Christmas Concert. Jim Beers Photo
The third selection of the 6th Grade Band program featured a happy, popular song that was a crowd favorite for especially the younger patrons. “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town”, arr. Michael Story”, was peppy, bright, and well-performed.
To close out the 6th Grade portion of the concert, the band played, “Christmas on the Farm”, by mark Williams. This song was a great way to end the show as it featured many humorous animal sounds that were meant to engage the crowd and the show end on a high note!
During the 2023 CGS Jr. High Christmas Concert Sue Colonel, CGS Band Director, recognized all of the volunteer music students that stepped up to perform the National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner” at CGS ball games this fall and early winter. Those students stood for their honor during the Junior High Band portion of the concert. Jim Beers Photo
Prior to the start of the Junior High Band portion of the concert, Mr. and Mrs. Colonel had a collection for the Chester Area Christian Food Pantry. This annual event is conducted by both Mr. Colonel at the High School Concert and Mrs. Colonel at her Grade School Christmas Concert. This year’s collection amounted to $556.41.
The Junior High Band began their portion of the concert by playing, “Bell Carol Remix”, by Mark Williams. The second selection of the evening was a most familiar Christmas song, “It’s Beginning to look Like Christmas”, arr. John Moss.
Chester Grade School Principal, Bill Grafton, welcomed everyone to the 2023 CGS Jr, High Christmas Concert which was hosted at the Chester High School’s Colbert Gymnasium. Grafton praised Mrs. Colonel and her music students for the great job they had done in preparing for the concert. Jim Beers Photo
Taking the mood to a more serious note, the band played, “Merry Christmas Darling”, arr. Michael Brown. To close the 2023 CGS Christmas Concert, the Junior High Band entertained everyone with a funny, comical tune titled, “Christmas Feast”, by David Shaffer.
“Christmas Feast” featured the percussion section, dressed in colorful kitchen aprons, using a variety of kitchen appliances, pots and pans, etc., to create noises that are sometimes heard in the kitchen when preparing a feast.
Members of the 6th Grade Band perform one of their four songs at the 2023 CGS Jr. High Christmas Program. Jim Beers Photo
Other members of the band also chipped in with percussion sounds when they weren’t playing their instruments. This was a fantastic way to close the show and send everyone home in a happy, holiday-spirited manner!
Steve Colonel, Chester High School Band Director, addressed the crowd in-between the 6th Grade Band and the Jr. High Band performances at the 2023 CGS Jr. High Christmas Concert. Colonel informed everyone about the need to help support the Chester Area Christian Food Pantry, especially during this holiday season. The Colonels have conducted this fund-raising effort for several years at their respective Christmas Concerts and at their home holiday light display. The collection at the 2023 CGS Jr, High Christmas Concert raised $556.41. Jim Beers Photo
Before leaving the gymnasium, Mrs. Colonel reminded everyone of several upcoming Music Department events.
Saturday February 24: IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest at Carterville Junior High
March 14-16: CHS Musical, “The Pajama Game” at CHS Juergens Gym
Friday April 5” Eclipse Festival Band Rehearsal & Performance at SIU Shryock Auditorium
Thursday April 25: CGS Spring Concert at CHS Colbert Gymnasium
Saturday April 25: State Solo & Ensemble Contest at Casey Middle School, Mt. Vernon
Tuesday May 7: CHS Spring Concert and Awards Night, CHS Colbert Gymnasium
The Chester Grade School Junior High Band, under the direction of Sue Colonel, performed four songs at the 2023 Christmas Concert.