The POWER of 600 Elementary School Students singing Christmas songs!

I had planned to begin this blog with these words: “Harrah Symphonic Organ amazes 600 Elementary School Students” but I totally underestimated the power and resolve of 600 school children singing Christmas Songs.

I began today’s concert on the Harrah Symphonic Organ for Hurricane WV local school students with a “Mozart-styled” arrangement of Deck the Halls with Orchestral Flute-Harpsichord and Strings but as soon as they recognized the tune, they took control and sang with gusto. When they didn’t know the words, they joined on the FA-LA-LA-LA-LA parts. AND, they took their tempo! I quickly realized, I would be altering the planned program and adding as many sing alongs as I could muster. Other favorites included the Peanuts “Christmas Time”. As I played I had the students close their eyes and pretend they were ice skating with Snoopy, Lucy and Charlie Brown. They clapped and hummed along with “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” before letting loose with Jingle Bells, Frosty and Rudolph. I ask them to watch the pedals as I played Chapman’s “Bring a Torch”—a great view of lots of pedalwork. Then, we divided into twelve groups for a re-enactment of 12 Days of Christmas, which is always a lot of fun action. To quiet everyone down, I played Hayes’ arrangement of Carol of the Bells—this seemed to be their favorite listening piece I’m sure due to all the neat bell sounds. We ended our hour together with a commercial (!) for Sunday’s Concert and the New CD, and then a postlude of “JINGLE-BELL ROCK”.

Contrary to today’s viewpoint, these kids proved today, that the PIPE ORGAN is still a vital exciting instrument to listen to! I trust today’s “seeds planted” will grow several new listeners for the Harrah Symphonic Organ and for the other great organs in the Kanawha Valley area!