Prairie View Middle School winter concert brings holiday music to center's stage

The woodwinds section of the Prairie View Middle School band performed at the school's winter concert. (Photos by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal

By Roger Sims

linncountyjournal@icloud.com

The Prairie View Middle School winter concert on Tuesday, Dec. 16, combined both the sixth- and seventh-grade choir and band as well as the Smiling Singers from Prairie View High School as special guest performers. The concert was held in the Prairie View Performing Arts Center.

The concert opened with the Smiling Singers, under the direction of James Beltz. An African American spiritual “Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow” was their opening song, followed by “Las Veritas” (Candles Burning Bright), a Mexican folk song. The ensemble finished its set with the traditional Welsh carol “Deck the Hall.”

Choir members perform "Winter Dream."

The PVMS choir took the stage next, opening with “Winter Dream.” Again under the direction of Beltz, the choir followed with “Winterlight,” which featured solos by Tucker Womack, Savannah Martinecz and Felicity Vitt. The choir ended its set with traditional carols “God Rest You Merry Gentlemen” and “Fum, Fum, Fum.”

The PVMS band took the stage next. With nearly 50 musicians, the band under the direction of Jeffery Russell nearly filled the stage. Its set began with “Holiday Magic” followed by “A Holly Jolly Christmas. “A Christmas Salute” and “A Joyous Holiday” filled out the night’s program.

An ensemble of the PVHS Smiling Singers opened the winter concert.

Smiling Singers choir includes Joseph Bauer, Myriam Burton, Lorelai Carter, Shiann Crabtree, Erik Crismas, Nora Draper, Thomas Goodall, Isaac Grove, Lennora Grove, Kanin Klaus, Luke Drentz, Luke Locklear, Marcus Mola, Skylar O’Connor, Lawrence Roy, Ivan Tapia, Waylon Katzer, Sophia Ward, and Annyiah Welch. Several of the choir members were unable to attend the concert.

The baritones of he PVMS choir perform "Deck the Hall."

Middle school choir members include:

Sopranos – Harper Boyd, Taylee Dunlop, Rynleigh Egidy, Brooke Oliphant, Addison Ream, Aalexis Sell, Aspen Stanchfield, Felicity Vitt, Haidyn Williams

Altos – Emma Brandon, Nina Christian, Nevaeh Cobey, Zoey Johnson, Savannah Martinecz, Jaya McClain, Presley Mills, June Ratcliff, Mari-Lynn Snider, Brooklyn Schell

Baritones – Hendrik Britz, Jaxn Hagermaster, Theron Wells, Tucker Womack.

Choir members perform "Fum, Fum, Fum."

Band members include:

Flutes – Justin Dumcum, Charlie Elam, Kyler Heather, Felicity Vitt, Quinton Wheeler

Clarinets – Preston Arganbright, Emma Brandon, Izzy Hamilton, Riley Hightower, Darion Kellerman, Savannah Martinecz, Brooke Oliphant, Baylee Paterson, June Ratcliff, Mari-Lynn Snider, Somer Spurgeon, Kylee Tynes

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The clarinet section performs "Holiday Magic."

Alto saxophones –Gunner Buckley, Rynleigh Egidy, Emma Goff, Luke Hartle, Lucas Knight, Wyatt Page, Ryder Rhynerson, Kora Stainbrook

Tenor saxophones – Dodge Benedick, Sawyer Campbell, Stratton Miller

Trumpets – Nina Christian, Cale Davey, Jeff Dumcum, Liberty Gray, Cash Lee, Vincent O’Dell

Trombones – Lincoln Barrett, Jaelynn Coltrin, Jules Kelly, Colden McAvoy, Jett Medcalf, Marshall Michelle, Chase Sewell, Angel Young

Percussion – Asher Goff, Ian Ray, Brian Smith, Mason Stainbrook, Jackson Weir, Enio Young

Trumpets and saxophones sound a festive vibe to "A Holly Jolly Christmas."