Maple Musicians Bring Holiday Cheer to Senior Residents

  • Posted December 4, 2019
Maple Musicians Bring Holiday Cheer to Senior Residents

Maple School musicians will perform the Winter Concert at 7:00 p.m., Monday, December 9 in the cafetorium. View photos from the holiday concerts on District 30's Facebook Page!

"The hands find a way to do what the heart wants to say.” - Paco de Lucia

One must hand it to those who bring joy to others through music, it is always an uplifting and joyous experience. To get a full grasp of the effect that Maple School musicians had on senior citizens when they performed a holiday concert at Rosewood Care Center, one would have had to pay attention not only to the music, but to the myriad hands, which expressed the emotions of student presence and music appreciation at its fullest.

Maple School musicians have been entertaining senior residents with their music for over 25 years, according to orchestra teacher Renee Yoo.

On December 5, before the concert began, students handed out homemade holiday cards that Maple students created during their advisory period. Many of the residents' hands clutched their gift of a greeting tightly, and had wistful smiles on their faces.

Then the sixth-grade choir, jazz band, and orchestra members’ performed favorites like “Jingle Bells,” “Frosty the Snowman,” “A Whole New World,” “Minka,” “The Hanukkah Song,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," and more. One gentleman in the audience spent the entire concert acting as a “guest” conductor, excitedly waving his hand up and down to each beat.

This concert was proudly arranged by Maple School's Band Director Ben Clemons, Music/Choir director Decima Panich, and Orchestra Director Renee Yoo.

Maple School will host its first winter concert at the new Maple School at 7:00 p.m., Monday, December 9 in the cafetorium.