In case you missed them, you can watch the concerts at the links below.

Kindergarten, Prep-One, First Grade

Second and Third Grades

Fourth and Fifth Grades, Treble Ts

And not wanting to miss out on the fun, pre-kindergarten classes put on its own winter “concert.” Watch and enjoy!

Pre-Kindergarten

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Head of Lower School Linda Fussell welcomed Gilman families to the three-part Lower School concert series on Thursday, December 16. “Well, you can’t see it but I have a smile here under my mask,” she said. “We are so happy to have a chance to share our music and be together again.”

Kindergarten, Prep-One, and First Grade

Dressed in white or red collared shirts and khaki pants, the kindergartners started off with “Up on the Housetop,” led by music teacher Laura Couch. Gilman’s young Greyhounds performed the piece with loud and clear voices and coordinated hand movements, to boot.

They recited the poem “Little Snowman” in unison. The line that they seemed to enjoy delivering most was: “Along came a rabbit, and what do you suppose? That cute little rabbit, looking for his lunch, ate that snowman’s carrot nose. Nibble, nibble, CRUNCH!”

Then, they belted out, “Let everyone sing joy” while jingling bells during “A Time for Love.”

The group of prep-one boys came out ready for the occasion in Santa hats. A confident student introduced their first song, “Santa’s Helpers.” He explained, “This song is about all the many activities happening in Santa’s workshop.” Two students played accompanying percussion instruments. Their second song was “Rise Up Shepherd and Follow,” an African American spiritual.

First graders took the stage next, dressed in dark blue and adorned with festive winter scarves. They began with “Burn Little Candles,” a Hebrew folk song. The student who introduced it gave a little context for the audience: “This song celebrates Hanukkah and the miracle that a day’s supply of oil burned the menorah’s candles for eight whole days.”

The show-stopper came at the end with “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” which included waving fingers as antlers and other enthusiastic dance elements.

The crowd of adoring parents, grandparents, and siblings applauded cheerfully after each and every song.

Second and Third Grades

With a rainbow-lit backdrop and boys dressed in all colors of the rainbow, the first musical performance was actually a visual treat. Boys in second grade waved colorful ribbons all around to the instrumental sounds of “Trepak Ribbon Dance,” a tune familiar to all who have seen “The Nutcracker.” The audience learned that it is a Russian or Ukrainian dance performed at celebrations.

“Let’s Take a Sleigh Ride” came next. “Buckle up for a fun ride through the snow,” said the second grader who introduced the piece to prepare the audience.

Malcolm P. led the group in a reading called “Kwanzaa Time is Here,” which was followed by the song “Born, Born in Bethlehem.”

Third graders dressed in white and various shades of blue treated their guests to a unique rendition of “Deck the Hall,” whose festive arrangements were sung and echoed by the boys.

A third grader passionately introduced “Oshougatsu,” which is the Japanese New Year. He shared that even in modern times, “it is still the most important holiday of the year in Japan,” and then he wished the audience a happy new year in Japanese.

They closed out the show with “Sing for Hanukkah,” which included interludes of “Hevenu Shalom” sung in Hebrew. 

“I think we need to make an album, what do you think?” Fussell asked the audience of proud parents.

Fourth Grade, Treble Ts, and Fifth Grade

Fourth graders looked impossibly mature as they stepped up onto the bleachers in button-down shirts and ties. Two students sat in front to play accompanying percussion for the first song, a South African carol called “Sizalelwe Indodana.” Up next — “Light” —was a piece about Hanukkah. And speaking of light, the final song by this group was a dramatic one: “Carol of the Bells” was performed with the house lights off and the boys waving red, white, and green lights around in coordinated choreography. As evidenced by the loud applause, it was an instant audience favorite.

The Treble Ts, a select group of fourth and fifth grade boys, performed two songs. The first, “Alshlosha D’varim,” sung in Hebrew translates to “The world is sustained by three things.” The lyrics reveal those things to be: truth, justice, and peace. The second, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” was introduced by one fifth grader. “This version brings together … one fun melody, which we just know will get stuck in your head, just like it does in ours.”

Fifth grade students began their set with “Personent Hodie,” which included a solo by Tajo O. and a trio by Andrew C., Eamonn K., and Gil Z. Next, the group sang “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” impressively accompanied by Matthew S. on violin.

Tyshaun L. soloed in the final song of the concert series at the beginning of “Go Tell it on the Mountain,” an upbeat African American Spiritual.

Many individuals deserve our heartfelt thank you for making these concerts possible:

• K-1 Music: Laura Couch
• 2-5 Music: Amy Cyman
• Accompanist: Ariel Dechosa
• Livestream: Chris Flint ’07 and Cesare Ciccanti
• Lighting and Sound: Chris Flint ’07
• Set-up and Grounds: Maintenance Department