Wiscasset Elementary School fourth grader Kyle Mank, 9, is proud to be in chorus this year, mother Carol Mank said. Fourth grade is the first year students can be in it, she explained. And how were she and husband Richard feeling watching their son about to perform across the gym, on the risers with the rest of the chorus? “Great,” Richard said, smiling.
The couple have two other children at WES, third grader Tyler, 8, and first grader Brittany, 7. Thursday afternoon, Dec. 19, the gym was full of all the grades, staff and, in the bleachers, many families.
The sing-along fell on the next to last day before holiday break, and the spirit of the season was everywhere – in songs celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah, elf hats, cane-sized candy canes chorus members raised over their heads, silver garland they donned, and educational technician Jessica Bailey’s outfit that was part Santa, part snowman, and all-popular with onlookers. “Just being festive,” she said. Others also had the Santa face cutout, she added. “There are six!”
Librarian Cindy Carter – retiring that week, Administrative Assistant Cindy Collamore noted – went with reindeer antlers and a Santa pin and earrings for the sing-along; Collamore, a Santa-themed outfit; and some students, the elf hats.
Music teacher Carole Drury said the sing-along has long been an annual event in Wiscasset’s elementary and then-primary schools. “Students learn all the music during their music classes and then we come together to sing just before the holiday break,” she explained via email. “It is a special way for us to share music and celebrate the holidays as a community. The WES Chorus always performs for their peers, staff and families to kick off the event.”
The event capped another busy holiday season for the chorus, including the tree-lighting on the common, and the school department’s Winter Gallery of the Arts, Drury said. That event at Wiscasset Middle High School had the WES Chorus with her, the WMHS choral groups and all the bands with Kim Brewer, and an art show with students’ works with Liz Proffetty of WES and Shalimar Chasse of WMHS; and third graders got a holiday musical treat, seeing “The Victorian Nutcracker” at Portland’s Merrill Auditorium, Drury said.
“Students learned all about Tchaikovsky and his music for the ballet during their music classes ... They knew the story and music before attending the performance, so it was especially meaningful for them,” Drury said. “After the show, our students went to lunch at McDonald's where many other patrons complimented them on their respectful and responsible behavior, making staff and parents extremely proud!”
Drury praised Superintendent of Schools and WES Principal Terry Wood as highly supportive of all this season’s music events, including joining third graders on the field trip.
