Chatham Schools Complete Holiday Concert Season

Written by Jennifer Zimmerman

The School District of the Chathams’ Music Department recently completed a successful Holiday concert season with 18 performances throughout the district and several additional community service performances.

The season began on Dec. 5 with the Chatham High School Choral concert under the direction of Barbara Klemp, Chatham High's Choral Director and District Supervisor of Performing Arts.

Over the next three weeks, every school made their musical contributions to the holiday season. Elementary specialists Tracy Roskam and Veronica Shaw showcased the talent from Milton Avenue, Washington Avenue and Southern Boulevard Schools at a variety of programs between December 6 and 22 with Tone Chime Ensembles, Third Grade Choirs, and full performances by grade level.  

On Dec. 22, Washington Avenue School singers visited Garden Terrace and Victorian Gardens to spread some Holiday cheer to residents and visitors.

At Lafayette Avenue School, Laurie DeBiasse, Krystle Graser, Amelia Muccia, and Andrew Newcomer led fourth and fifth grade instrumental and choral performances to standing-room audiences on Dec. 14 and 15.

At Chatham Middle School, Suzanne Bass, Joe Bassin, Dean Kravitz, and Christie Spriggs conducted performances of the Bands, Choruses, and Orchestras from grades six, seven and eight packed audiences. Orchestra Director Suzanne Bass also had her “Pops” Orchestra perform a program at Juniper Village on Dec. 16, in addition to peer performances during lunches the week of Dec. 19.

The holiday concert season concluded Friday, Dec. 23 with the Chatham High School Select and Voices Choirs, Jazz Band, and Chamber Orchestra visiting CMS and Lafayette for special programs that have become a tradition in the district.

After CHS left CMS, the seventh and eighth grade Chorus and Orchestra gave an additional performance to the sixth grade. The district music staff thanks the community for their support of another successful holiday concert season.

CHS instrumental music teachers Krystle Graser and Brian Conti will present their winter programs on January 5th (Orchestra concert) and Jan. 11 (Band concert) at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium.