For two nights this week, third grade pupils from nine elementary schools wowed a packed house at the Vineyard, with international songs of joy and unity.
Third grade students from nine elementary schools (Annehurst, Cherrington, Emerson, Hanby, Hawthorne, Huber Ridge, McVay, Pointview, and Whittier) presented the fifth annual world cultures concert titled Nations Together in Song. The combined performances took place on Tuesday, November 19 and Wednesday, November 20, at Vineyard Church Columbus, a lovely local venue big enough to accommodate the massive concerts.
In preparation for the show, children in all the schools learned the same collection of musical numbers and choreography, including a Nicaraguan folk song, a song based on a Japanese Star Festival, an upbeat Middle Eastern folk song, and a playful American folk song. The youngsters opened and closed the concert with messages of peace and hope.
Students were directed by Andrea Avers (Whittier and Pointview), Kate Cremean (Hawthorne), Mary Rebekah Fortman (Emerson and Hanby), Tricia Hall (Annehurst), Joshua Ice (Hawthorne), Cynthia Kinser (Huber Ridge), Evan McIntyre (McVay), and Julie Porretta (Cherrington).
Their goal was to create a shared musical experience for the children and a sense of unity amongst elementary schools and the community. In the future, organizers aspire to build further connections to the public by establishing a service component to the project.