The voices of sixth through eighth graders filled the Cafetorium at LMPS (Lakeland Middle Preparatory School) tonight (12.11.17) for “December Nights, December Lights.”
The first ever holiday performance of the choirs featured a medley of holiday tunes along with choreography, some solo pieces and a flutist.
Matt Adler, LMPS principal, welcomed family and friends to the performance, noting it has only been four months since the new middle school opened. He recognized school and City officials in the audience.
The fifth graders, the Mane Melody Singers, performed four songs that included some snappy hand movements and moving colored lights, which were actually flashlights covered with colored tissue paper.
Eighth-grade student and flutist Ivana Cranston accompanied the sixth graders with one of their three songs.
The seventh and eighth graders combined on stage for three holiday songs with Leiza Collins accompanying the last song on the djembe, a goblet drum.
Kendall Acheson, soprano, and Gracie Brown, alto, had individual parts with the eighth grade on stage, singing one song.
For the grand finale, all fifth through eighth graders came to and around the stage to sing the ending song, each holding a candle.
Tonya Miller is the choir director and Ms. Collins was also the pianist.
Mrs. Miller said she “programmed” the songs to make the performance entertaining for both the students and the audience. Included were singers in harmony, partnering with songs and “body percussion” which included the movements and finger snapping.
The choirs take their shows on the road Friday (12.15.17) when the fifth graders sing at The Peabody Hotel downtown about 11 a.m. Later in the day they will carol at Lakeland City Hall. Friday evening, the sixth, seventh and eighth grade choir members will sing the National Anthem at a “Grizzlies Night” for LMPS.
The LMPS Band and Orchestra perform their winter concert at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow night (12.12.17) in the Cafetorium. There will be a live auction and bake sale.
LMPS opened to students in August and serves grades 5-8.
… Photos by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents. Link to photo album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/wXtvJULPuu6kZlfJ3
