Connect: winter music from around the world

Reflections off brass © J. Ashley Nixon

This was not your ordinary school concert. Of course, there were some standards like Good King Wenceslas, but Jingle Bells was really rockin’. Silent Night was sung partly in German, and Celtic and Swahili songs featured alongside a beginners guide to Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. There was even a mad stomp (or should I say pirouette?), literally three minutes long, through the entire program of Tchaikovsky’s traditionally festive ballet, The Nutcracker.

Speaking of dancing, there was one fleeting foot presentation to the Hawaiian tune of Mele Kalukalauka (accompanied by a ukulele player) which captured the delight of the audience…and their attention, when a shoe went flying off from the stage.

To close things out, Felipe the Facilities Supervisor sang a spirited, Spanish rendition of Feliz Navidad, resplendent in a white tuxedo. Que chevere!

It’s never just an ordinary night at Connect Charter School.

With special thanks to the Grade 6, 7, 8 & 9 Performers and their Musical Directors, Mr. Bolen and Mr. Harder.