It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas around St. Ann Center. In fact, the youngsters at our Stein Campus have been practicing Yule tunes since early November in preparation for the second Annual Children’s Holiday Concert on December 2nd.
Surrounded by their parents and adult friends in the atrium, the Ladybugs provided the percussion accompaniment for “Little Drummer Boy.” The Beetles and Caterpillars’ version of “Christmas Makes Me Sing” put everyone in the holiday spirit, while the Butterflies and Fireflies teamed up for a rollicking “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” complete with antler hats they made just for the occasion.
The Monarchs rocked “Jingle Bells,” and the Dragonflies brought “Up on the Housetop” to life with perfectly timed choreography mimicking Santa on Christmas Eve. As a finale, kids from one to 92 joined their voices in an intergenerational version of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
“The children look forward to singing for their adult friends and being the center of attention,” said Hannah Goodness, St. Ann Center’s music therapist. “And our adults really enjoy watching the kids having so much fun.”
Dozens of moms, dads and grandparents ducked out of work for the half-hour concert, armed with phones and video recorders to capture the action. “It was adorable,” said Kathleen VanWagenen, commenting on granddaughter Mary’s performance. “Activities like this are the underpinnings that prepare children for things like public speaking in the future.”
Mary’s mom, Kristin Keepman, added, “She’s been practicing her song at home for weeks. We appreciate how much work the teachers put into this. Everyone did a great job.”