Nellie Bennett Fifth Grade Chorus presents "The Sounds of December"

Nellie F. Bennett Elementary School's Fifth Grade Chorus helped to usher in the holidays with a trio of holiday concerts held at the school this week.

The concert, called "The Sounds of December", included skits, dances and a blend of traditional songs with modified versions of familiar holiday classics. Kicking of the concert was the Russian folk song "Minka". The song included familiar lyrics sung with a different meter, melody and form sung in a partner fashion, meaning each of the sections of the chorus sang different lyrics that when combined resulted in a beautiful and complex musical piece.

The next song, "The Nutcracker . . . . in About Three Minutes" condensed the highlights of Tchaikovsky's masterpiece into a three minute medley. Complete with Sugar Plum Fairies ballet dancing in accompaniment, the song touched on all the favorite movements of The Nutcracker from the opening overture to the closing waltz.

The students then channeled Handel's iconic "Messiah" for the "Hallelujah Chorus". Next up was the "Carol-Sing-a-Long", a medley of holiday favorites. Audience members joined in singing holiday tunes like "Jingle Bells" and "Up on the Housetop" and "We Wish you a Merry Christmas".

Following the compilation of traditional Christmas hits, the Chorus abruptly switched gears for the more modern "Hip Hop Reindeer".

The high energy tune was accompanied by a dance number by students wearing reindeer antlers. That momentum was sustained with "Santa Claus Rock" which included a miniature Santa Claus joining several students in Santa hats with inflatable guitars.

In what has become a Nellie Bennett tradition, "Light the Candles" was the concert's finale song. During this song the chorus, as well as select audience members, held lighted battery-operated candles to represent the song's request for togetherness during the holiday season.

"The holiday concert is always an exciting event at Nellie Bennett," said Principal Jim Karaba. "Not only do all the students get to see their peers perform during the school assemblies, but parents and families also have the opportunity to see the product of their children's hard work at our evening holiday concert."

"The Sounds of December concert is the perfect way to prime for the holidays," he continued. "I'd like to congratulate Ms. McCann and her students on another terrific holiday concert."