Felix Nativitas! OLHCA Students Celebrate Christmas in Song

On the night of December 21st friends and family gathered to watch the performances put on by the children. The evening began with a play performed by the combined music classes of Kindergarten-2nd Grade and 3rd-5th Grade, directed by Mrs. Rachel Bushnell and Mrs. Nancy Gallegos, and accompanied by Mrs. Maria Conder. The play, entitled “Just a Little Christmas,” told the tale of the first Christmas and the events surrounding it. This particular telling of the story took a light-hearted tone, entertaining the audience with jovial angels and a wrathful King Herod, interspersed with carols appropriate to each scene. The young students impressed the audience with songs performed by small groups and verses sung by soloists.

Following the play, the older students took to the stage to entertain the audience with a number of Christmas carols. The 7th-12th grade girls began this portion of the concert with the traditional German Advent carol, “Maria Walks Amid the Thorn.” The 6th-8th grade choir followed with performances of “Far in a Manger” and “Here We Come A-Caroling.” The 9th-12th grade choir, with the aid of some students from the 7th and 8th grades, sang a selection of carols including “Shepherds in the Field Abiding,” “Deck the Hall,” and the medley titled “Christmas Cheer” which contains the classic carols “The Holly and the Ivy,”  “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” and “Wassail.” 

The final performance was a spirited rendition of “Sleigh Ride,” sung by the combined 6-8th and 9th-12th grade choirs with senior Anne Pfeiffer playing the bell accompaniment, and senior Peter Conder on the wooden clapper.

Following the wonderful performances and the traditional student “thank yous,” the evening concluded with the usual potluck shared by all the attendees.