Schools add joyful sounds to the season

Sounds of the season are ringing out throughout town this week as students from kindergarten through college age entertain families, friends and music fans with a wide range of traditional and contemporary Christmas songs.

All together during the event-filled holiday season, more than 450 school performers will be taking to the stage for Christmas programs for East Ward, North Ward, Central Elementary, St. Patrick's School, McCook Junior High, McCook Senior High and McCook Community College.

Tonight will be particularly busy, with three separate programs scheduled. "Sound Investment," the college's talented vocal jazz group, will be performing at 7:30 p.m. at the Bieroc Cafe. The 14-member college singing group will top off the show with an uplifting rendition of "Oh, Holy Night."

Meanwhile, Christmas shows also will be in progress at the McCook High School Auditorium, where East Ward first graders will be presenting "The Mice Before Christmas," starting at 7 p.m., and at the St. Patrick's School Gymnasium, where kindergarten through eighth grade pupils will join for an all-school Christmas program at 7 p.m., including a play called "The Christmas Clinic,"

Sandy Weigel is the director of the college singing group, and Charles Coleman is directing the "Mice Before Christmas" show. Sharing the directing duties at St. Patrick's School are Stan Spomer, band; Darrin Karr, vocal; and Pam Schilz, the play.

This will be the second night in a row for first grade pupils to be on stage at the high school. Monday night the Christmas play was presented by the 63 students at North Ward. Tonight is the 44 East Ward pupils turn.

All 122 of St. Patrick's student body are taking part in their school's Christmas presentation.

The first of the school Christmas programs took place last week, when 150 students from the 6th through 12th grades presented "Sounds of the Season" at the McCook Memorial Auditorium. Traditional Christmas songs were featured, much to the delight of the crowd.

The busy season for school programs wraps up Thursday, when the concert and jazz bands from McCook Junior-Senior High School present "Home for Christmas" at the McCook High School Auditorium. The band concert, which will begin at 7 p.m., is under the direction of Bryan Regier, the school's instrumental band instructor. With tunes ranging from "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" to "I'll Be Home for Christmas," Mr. Regier says the 84 band members are ready to bring the season of Christmas programs to a rousing conclusion.