With music that ranged from traditional folk tunes to pop, from pounding sea shanties to sentimental hymns, over 350 singers performed at the Elementary Spring Concert on Friday to a packed new gym.
Directed by Lacee Johnson, it was the second spring concert. The first one was 2 years ago. Johnson had a leave of absence last spring. She and her music students started rehearing for this concert back in March.
“I am proud to show off the hard work they have put in to learn the songs, choreography, and for some groups, instruments to accompany their singing,” she said.
On stage together the kindergarten and first graders took a trip around the world with “Adventures Away,” “Tingalyo” (Caribbean). Frère Jacques (France) and “Argentina.”
Next up, the second graders performed the square dance classic “Lost My Partner” and followed with “How do you Talk to a Pirate, Matey?,” one of three sea shanties performed during the concert and a sanitized version of the PG-rated early 1800s song recently made popular by the Irish Rovers. In front of the Cleveland stage, it featured a group playing Boomwhackers, tuned percussion tubes.
The second graders concluded with the Bruno Mars hit about friendship, “Count On Me.”
The third graders opened with the traditional pentatonic folk song “Rockey Mountain.” With Brodey Rutz initiating the song with a solo, next up was “Step by Step” with its body percussion and inspirational lyrics (above).
Step by step, I’m standing tall.
Step by step, I give my all.
Step by step, I carry on.
Step by step, I’m stronger.
The group concluded with another pulsating sea shanty: “The Wellerman.”
The fourth graders began their set with the campfire classic “I Love the Mountains,” sung as a round.
I love the mountains.
I love the rollin’ hills.
I love the flowers.
I love the daffodils.
I love the fireside when the lights are low.
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da
Next, preceded by Lucy Smith’s narrative about honoring veterans, they sang “For the Good of the Many,” a gentle and emotional hymn that tells the tale about those whose sacrifices deserve our gratitude.
For our homeland, for our country, for all you had to do.
For the freedom you defended, we will remember you.
For the good of the many, so give the few.
They concluded with “Our States Are Great,” a patriotic song with a driving melody and lyrics that that required students to learn the names of the 50 states, which they rapped in unison between refrains.
Our states are great. Everyone in its time had to come to the plate to become a great, great state.
We don’t exaggerate.
Five oh, to date, just a matter of time, just a matter of fate to become a great, great state.
And now we celebrate our great, great states.
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona…
The fifth graders kicked off their performance with the classic folk song “Erie Canal,” which memorializes the period from 1825-1880, when barges were pulled by mule power.
Next, they sang “Bound for South Australia,” another maritime song. They closed with “Seize the Day,” an inspiring piece from the Disney movie “Newsies.” Kenzie Borer started the piece with a solo.
Open the gates and seize the day.
Don't be afraid and don't delay.
Nothing can break us.
No one can make us.
Give our rights away.
Arise and seize the day!
The sixth graders erupted their set with “Volcano,” which featured a section of xylophones.
From there it was a change of pace with “Listen to My Song,” a delicate, melodic piece about how music touches our hearts and reflects our souls. With solos at its start were Jocelyn Clark, Steve Giebel and Addie Sandhurst.
Listen to my song. Listen to my singing.
Listen to my song, the music of my heart.
Listen to my song. The melody is ringing inside.
If you really want to know me, listen to my song.
Next up was “Sailing,” a sonnet about sailing sung in round form. The concert concluded with the motivational “Kick It Up a Notch,” a powerful fusion of rock and funk. Jump starting the piece, Hadley Thompson and Lily McMillian rapped the refrain.
Put it into gear. Keep your focus clear.
Watch your goal appear when you put it in high gear.
Kick it up up up kick it up kick it.
Kick it up up up kick it up a notch.
Blue Folder Jazz, under the direction of Erik Hermanson, punctuated each set.
Second graders
Video: Kindergarten and first graders, “Tingalayo”
Video: Second graders, “Lost My Partner”
Video: Third graders: Step By Step”
Video: Third graders: “Wellerman”
Video: Fifth graders, “Erie Canal”
Video: Fifth graders, “Seize the Day”
Video: Sixth graders, “Listen to My Song”
Video: Sixth graders, “Kick It Up a Notch”
Video: Full concert