Holiday voices

Bryson Felton

Aria Tennessen performs a solo at the holiday concert

Last year on Monday December 18th the sounds of Christmas music swept up and down the streets as the holly jolly holiday was approaching, and the place with the most cheer was the Cannon Falls Auditorium. Directed by Mrs. Sue Franke, spectators enjoyed performances from the 6th grade, 7-8th grade, and high school choirs. Extra performances were by the High School Jazz Choir, and duets were executed by Kressin Hartl and Hailey Newinski with “Christmas Shoes”, Miah Barsness and Olivia Villarreal who sang “Silent Night” and Jenna Kremers and Anna Schroeder who sang “Mary Did You Know”. Aria Tennessen also performed a solo, “Oh Holy Night”. “I think the performance was fine but there’s always room for improvement,” states Aria, “and I just think that way about all music performances and that goes for the concert as well. Overall it was a good show.”

When asked about the performances, Franke had this to say with a chuckle. “I thought it was really moving. It was a stressful process to get here but I’m relieved it’s all over. The kids probably feel the same. I mean a lot of them started to take it really serious the closer we got to the performance but of course there are always some troublemakers. But it all worked out in the end.” The Jazz choir practiced two times a week in the morning in preparation for their performance, while solos and duets had practiced all throughout the year. “I’m really proud of the kids,” states Franke, “especially with the concert being on a Monday. It’s a tough time especially with the high schoolers. A lot of them went from school to practice to concert.” The choir students will now be preparing for their annual contest, a competition between multiple schools where the kids will be performing 3-4 pieces in front of judges. All in all the choir concert was a joyous occasion that spread Christmas cheer for all to hear.