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Mt. Pleasant Elementary students fill Chapel Auditorium with lively music
MPCSD kindergarten through fifth grade students performed their first concert in the Chapel Auditorium
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MT. PLEASANT — The Chapel Auditorium at Mt. Pleasant Community School District’s central campus filled with festive music on the evening of Dec. 10 as the Mt. Pleasant elementary school music students presented their annual winter concert. This year’s concert was especially significant, marking the first time the event was held in the newly renovated Chapel Auditorium.
Directed by Shari Moeller and Laura Westfall, the concert featured performances by kindergarten through fifth-grade students, who showcased a range of holiday music.
In the midst of cheerful songs performed by enthusiastic young musicians, Westfall praised the students’ growth and the supportive role families play in their musical education, saying, “Thank you for everything that you as families do here too, for everything, whether it’s choir or band, helping your kid be a part of this. This is really meaningful, getting a chance to work with these kids. They’re a lot of fun.”
“I never quite know what to expect, but I do enjoy working with them,” she continued. “Thank you for all you do. Whether it is getting the reeds for the instruments that they forgot or picking them up late for band or getting them there early for chorus, all of those things. We’re so lucky to have such a supportive community here in Mt. Pleasant.”
The concert included the combined choir singing Silent Night directed by Westfall and Moeller, Salem and fifth grade Van Allen students singing Shake the Papaya Down and Ad Astra under the direction of Westfall, and Van Allen’s fourth grade choir students singing Around the World and The Candy Man under Moeller’s direction. Additionally, Westfall directed the fifth-grade band in playing Ode to Joy and Aura Lee.
The concert came to a close with the band’s lively rendition of “Wintry Mix,” showcasing the students’ energy and excitement. Westfall described the piece as “a bunch of Christmas carols together,” and the students’ performance captured the joyful spirit of the holiday season.
Before the students concluded their performance, Westfall addressed the audience with a few announcements, including information about future activities.
“We do have band next Tuesday. Some of them are very excited because next Tuesday, it is really clean your instrument,” she said. Westfall also shared that after the concert, students would continue to work on their instruments and prepare for future performances.
Moeller, who returned to the district to teach general music and band lessons at Van Allen Elementary this year, and Laura Westfall, who began teaching music in the MPCSD in 2008, guided the students through the concert. Known for her extensive experience and dedication to music education, Moeller has become a cherished figure in the Mt. Pleasant music community.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com
