By Matthew Sockol
Staff Writer
MILLSTONE – Two concerts that are open to the public will be held in the Millstone Township K-8 School District during December.
At 7 p.m. Dec. 13, pupils from the Millstone Township Elementary School will present a winter concert in the Millstone Performing Arts Center at the Millstone Township Middle School, 5 Dawson Ct.
At 7 p.m. Dec. 20, pupils from the Millstone Township Middle School will present a holiday concert in the Millstone Performing Arts Center.
Admission is free and the public is welcome to attend both events.
Each concert will feature about 100 pupils from their respective school and showcase the talents of the members of the chorus and instrumental band performing seasonal and holiday songs.
The middle school holiday concert will also feature African music with African instruments. The concert will showcase the talents of about 35 choral students and 75 band students.
Preparations for both concerts began in September. The pupils who will be performing arrived at school prior to homeroom and attended rehearsals on a weekly basis, according to the teachers who are organizing the showcases.
The elementary school’s winter concert will feature pupils in grades four and five in vocal and instrumental performances. The concert is coordinated by the school’s music instructors, Suzanne Laskiewicz, who directs the chorus, and Adam Gruber, who directs the advanced band.
“Millstone Township Elementary School takes pride in performing an entertaining level-appropriate repertoire,” Gruber said. “Our students have worked hard to prepare for the concert and are looking forward to entertaining the student body, staff members, parents and the community at large.”
The middle school’s holiday concert will feature pupils in grades six through eight. The sixth through eighth grade chorus, the sixth grade concert band and the seventh and eighth grade wind ensemble will perform.
The concert is coordinated by music instructors Heather Philhower, who teaches general and vocal music, and Gwen Parker, who teaches instrumental music.
“The holiday concert is always a wonderful experience for the students and the audience,” Philhower said. “It is a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit.”
