It was a night meant for the holiday season. Families -- filled with the young and young-at-heart -- gathering together on a cold December evening to share the Currier Memorial School’s Winter Music Concert.
Students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade entertained a delighted audience with a wide range of music: Holiday classics, Beethoven, Mozart, and Jingle Bell Rock.
First year Currier music teacher Monica Schwartz orchestrated the evening’s entertainment. She was patience personified, the music teacher everyone hopes for their children. With facial expressions that captured the attention of even three-year-old pre-kindergartners, she conducted the performers through each number, and even accompanied them on guitar and recorder.
“Monica is both an accomplished performer and wonderful teacher,” said Currier Principal Carolyn Parillo. “In her first year we have the highest number of students participating in band in my entire decade as Principal. Research shows a high correlation between academic performance and playing an instrument, so our kids are heading down the right path.”
On the topic of musical instruments, Currier has its own proud story to tell. Parents and community donors banded together to furnish the school with all manner of instruments from trombones to clarinets to saxophones and more
“We have more instruments than students,” said Schwartz, as she thanked the audience for its attendance. “If any child wants to learn how to play at Currier, the resources are here.”
The concert program served as a soundtrack to the Currier musical scheme. The early grades focused on voice and movement with a variety of choral numbers. A transition begins in third grade with improvisation on drums and introduction to reading and playing notes on recorders. Fourth and fifth graders take the next step of blending instruments into a band. The result? A joyful noise by glowing children.
Families gathered together after the performance and ventured out into the night with a bounce in their step — all ready for the holiday season ahead.
(Photo above: Pre-Kindergarten students delight the audience with their rendition of "Jingle Bells.")
Members of the Currier Band live onstage at the Winter Musical Concert.
Third graders at Currier are introduced to reading notes and playing recorders.
The Currier horn section showcases the power of sound.
Kindergartners use colorful scarves in performing the "Candy Cane Dance" from the Nutcracker.
First and second graders open up the Currier Winter Music Concert.
Drum improvisation on display at the Currier Winter Musical Concert.
Currier students say thank you with flowers for Currier music instructor Monica Schwartz.
This trio of Currier students proud of their performance at the concert.