by Cori Hilsgen
news@thenewsleaders.com
Students at Kennedy Community School were busy performing concerts before their winter break. Concerts included the seventh- and eighth-grade choir, and sixth- through eighth-grade orchestra and fifth-grade orchestra.
The sixth- through eighth-grade orchestra students and seventh- and eighth-grade choir students performed two concerts on Dec. 18 for students, staff, parents and relatives.
Director of Orchestras Kimberly Fahy said most of the orchestra students began playing in fifth-grade under the direction of Thea Stockinger, so this is their second, third and fourth years of playing.
Music selections included Jolly Old St. Nick and Canon in D performed by the sixth-grade orchestra.
Fahy said the seventh- and eighth-grade orchestra students surprised the audience by walking to their places on stage while playing a memorized piece. Additional selections included Symphony in G, What Child is This and Creatures.
Fahy said she is very proud of all the orchestra students and the concert they presented.
Fifth-grade orchestra teacher Thea Stockinger said students began learning to play their stringed instruments about three months before the concert.
Students performed their first live performance in front of students, staff, parents and relatives on Dec. 19 in the Kennedy gym. Songs performed included Winter Wonderland, Jingle Bells, The Nutcracker and other group, solo and ensemble selections.
Stockinger said the concert was enjoyed by all.
About half of the fifth-grade students at Kennedy Community School are enrolled in the orchestra program.
The seventh- and eighth-grade choir performed in the evening Dec. 18 at Kennedy Community School.
The sixth- through eighth-grade orchestra performed in the evening Dec. 18 at Kennedy Community School.
The fifth-grade orchestra performed during the afternoon Dec. 19 at Kennedy Community School.
The Kennedy Community School sixth-grade orchestra is pictured with Director of Orchestras Kimberly Fahy.
The Kennedy Community School seventh- and eighth-grade orchestra is pictured with Directors of Orchestras Kimberly Fahy.
