New London Music Department presents spring concert

On April 14, New London students K-12 arrived back at school to create a musical evening for the entire community. The evening began at 5:30 p.m. in the Lorber Gymnasium with Grades K-2 performances led by Ms. Kati DeLlanos.

The Kindergarten class sang A Dinosaur Just Ate My Lunch, Bluebird and My Dog Rags. The spring concert represents the second time these students have shown their vocal skills publicly. Now as “seasoned” singers moving rhythmically and smiling, they entertained the audience.

Rocky Mountain, Adventure Away and Lavender’s Blue were chosen by the First Grade. The selections were new to most of the listeners but the melodies were received enthusiastically and the performers enjoyed presenting the new lyrics.

Second Grade is a relatively small class in Clark Elementary but they are mighty and well known for giving “it all” to do well in their schoolwork and activities. They sang Are You Sleeping?, Take the Time To Be Kind and I am an Alien. Are You Sleeping was especially amazing as the students sang the verse in several languages.

As K-2 exits the gym, grades 3-5 begin to fill the south end of the gymnasium. Mr. Arnie Anderson and these animated youngsters will present a musical enhanced with choral performances. This year “A Very PATRIOTIC Pageant!” was chosen. The songs and sketches celebrated America. Students audition for speaking and solo parts. Costumes are created by the performers and are unique. Ben Franklin was quite spectacular. Ben, a Turkey and an Eagle debated the national symbol with quite a few humorous incorrect comments by the turkey. The Presidents at Mount Rushmore told many incredible jokes about historical places and figures. Students used kazoos to emphasize the many laughs.

The choral renditions included the Star Spangled Banner, Colonel Bogeys Grand Old Flag, Let Freedom Ring, On an Eagle’s Wing, Yankee Doddle Song, A Poem of Gratitude, Thank You Soldiers, and Stars and Stripes. The Elementary portion of the program ended with Bows. The entire show was well appreciated by the spectators.

Ms. DeLlanos continued the Vocal Concert. In Iowa music is a required part of the curriculum through sixth grade. The sixth-grade choir presented a Dover Beach and If I Were A Fish. The spring concert is the last time these students will perform as a class. From now on, music will be an elective. These young ladies and gentlemen did a fine job.

Junior Varsity Choir performed next. Hitch Your Dream to the Morning Star and Homeward Bound were chosen. This group of talented youngsters are continuing their music education and show great promise. Many performed in the school wide musical “Shrek” earlier this year. Lilly Coffin and Sophia May performed solos Monday night.

Varsity Choir completed the formal group presentations with Me Bella Bimba and Fly Away Home. These performers continue to grow musically and bring a sense of accomplishment each time they appear in public.

Throughout the nation, students are requesting to bring more popular music into the curriculum. A Volunteer Choir put together a pleasing rendition of Wicked to end the Vocal portion of the Spring Concert. The community looks forward to more of these selections in the future.

Spring is also the time to award students for their accomplishments throughout the year. Ms. DeLlanos gave the following vocal music awards:

Directors Choice(6th Grade): Rongie Rodriquez and Kinsley Mangold

8th Grade Leadership Award: Sophia May, Keira McBeth, and Neveah Mincks

National School Choral Award: Paige Miller

The community then moved to the auditorium for the Instrumental portion of the Spring Concert.

  Buy Photo

  Buy Photo

  Buy Photo