Garrettsville – James A. Garfield Intermediate School presented Carols and Choruses recently at their annual Christmas Concert. The 5th and 6th grade concert was under the direction of Mr. Gaither and had something for everyone.
The concert started off with a new addition to the music department, the hand bell choir. The ten member hand bell choir played two holiday numbers that delighted those in attendance. They were followed by the jazz band, which performed two selections as well. The concert moved on to the Fifth Grade Choir, which I must say, was awesome. The choir performed “Christmas Canon” written by Pachelbel and arranged specifically for this performance by Mr. Gaither. This selection was performed in five-part harmony featuring Ramsey Goodner on the violin while Nick Crawford tickled the ivories. The performance knocked the socks off the audience as everyone sat mesmerized by the harmonious sounds coming out of fifth graders’ mouths. The kids did such a wonderful job one could easily forget they were listening to fifth graders. The talent these students displayed totally wowed the audience and made them a difficult act to follow.
Although the choir was a tough act to follow, the sixth grade band stepped up to the plate to put on a concert to remember. We heard many favorite carols, including some new ones, all to usher in the season of good tidings and great joy. Those kids really rocked the house!
The holiday season would not be complete without fruitcake and this concert was no exception. The kids sang a fun selection, “Everlasting Fruitcake” which had the audience chuckling over the lyrics as they sang about the fruitcake that would reappear no matter how hard they tried to get rid of it. The evening closed out with the choir leading everyone in a Christmas Carol sing-a-long. The students and Mr. Gaither made this a concert to remember.