Elementary Christmas Concert showcases student talent, draws crowd

Already at 10:30 a.m., two and a half hours before the Elementary Christmas Concert started on Wednesday, the first couple showed up.

They wanted to ensure they got good seats.

Twenty minutes before the first group was scheduled to perform, there was scarcely a parking spot within four blocks of the school. Both sides of the bleachers in the new gym were all but filled as well as the chairs on the gym floor: 13 rows with 20 seats in each row.

“We used all the folding chairs we could find,” said athletic director Rich Kern, who, with the help of the boys varsity players, started setting up for the concert right after the basketball game the night before.

“In back it was standing room only. I’m thinking about 1200 total.”

For elementary music teacher Lacee Johnson, who directed the concert, preparation started with rehearsals back in October. Despite all the planning and the stress of getting seven groups, kindergarteners through sixth graders, on and off stage, showcasing her students’ talent is worth the effort.

“It’s my favorite day of the year.”

The seven elementary grades all performed separately this year, unlike in the past, third and fourth graders weren’t combined nor were fifth and sixth graders.

Before the fourth graders took the stage, fifth grader Bella Baker on keyboards and vocals and her cousins, fifth grader Logan Baker on the bass guitar and his third-grade brother Liam Baker on the drums, performed “Here Comes Santa Claus.”

The “Baker Trio,” as Johnson branded the three, all take music lessons from her husband, Kevin Johnson. The group got started a couple of months ago.

“When I started singing and playing piano, I realized they started playing,” explained Bella Baker. “We started having lessons together, and now we’re here.”

Director Erik Hermanson’s Holiday Jazz Band, in their final performance of the year, punctuated the concert with a host of holiday selections.

First on stage, the kindergarteners performed “Play the Bells to Celebrate,” “Christmas Cookies” and “We’re going on a Sleigh Ride.”

Next up, the first graders sang “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas,” “Snowman Joe” and “Let’s Build a Gingerbread Home.” On the xylophones for the second selection were Finley Hughs, Hazel Hunt, Dylan Kopischke, Jasmine Lassonde, Theo Litchfield-Palmquist, Clare McCabe, Emmy McLister and Henry Smith.

Second graders performed “Christmas Medley,” (“Deck the Halls,” “Oh Christmas Tree,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”) “Snowman, Where’d You Go?” and “The Santa Claus Rock.”

Third graders sang “Santa is the Man,” “Christmas Chopsticks” and “Jingle Bell Rock.” On the broomwhackers for the second selection were Lucas Baker, Cecil Ernsting, Oliver Grubish, Nova Hoisington, Jax Hunt, Chevelle Jordan, Vayda Keup, Brayden McCabe, Talon McCabe, Avery Miller, Hunter Olson, Ava Pick, Jace Stoffel, Barrett Vogel, Levi Wargelin and Benny Zimmerman.

The fourth graders sang “Candy Cane Lane,” “African Noel” and “Take Me Out to the Snowstorm.” The second piece featured “body percussion,” where the performers clapped and slapped their chests. The last piece was sung to the tune of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”

The fifth graders sang “Christmas Starlight,” “Just One Candle” and “Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!” Annalise Rysdam was the soloist for the second selection.

The sixth graders performed “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Hot Chocolate.” The Grinch (assistant principal Dave Cink) prowled about the stage during the first piece.

As is tradition at Cleveland, the concert concluded with the sixth grader leading and everyone singing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

The elementary students will be back on stage on May 17 for a spring concert.

Above: Third graders Avery Miller, Vayda Keup and Chevelle Jordan on the boomwhackers