The WCS Thanksgiving Concert, by Sherri Pilgreen
I will never forget my first Thanksgiving Assembly as a new
music teacher at Collegiate in 1988. What??? We were going to pull together all
of our students, Early Childhood through Upper School, invite family and
friends and fit everything and everyone into the South Gym to perform an
hour-long concert? Is this place crazy?
Well, was I ever surprised! Not only did the school dedicate
a good portion of class rime to rehearse and organize such a huge task, but our
maintenance department moved risers and chairs to make the event successful. I
was even more amazed that most all of our families were willing and happy to
defer holiday vacation until after this special performance. Students arrived
in their finest, including handmade pilgrim hats. Again to my surprise, in came
hundreds of parents, grandparents, neighbors, and even Kirstie Alley, who had a
front row seat! People were standing four and five deep to watch this
one-of-a-kind performance. I was so touched
by the spirit in the room. A small “town” came together to celebrate their
children, their school, their God and their country. I fell in love with the
whole thing and many concert moments still bring tears to my eyes.
Happily, this spirited tradition remains and we have two separate programs, one for
Early Childhood and one for grades 1-12. The concert includes a thriving
instrumental program along with the long-standing vocal excellence which fills
the floor and bleachers of the Upper School Gym. People are still standing
along the sides to be a part of this important tradition, “Turkey Tango” and
“Battle Hymn of the Republic” included.
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