Friends and family of Becker Middle School band and choir students were given early Christmas gifts the past couple of weeks, with two concert events held to celebrate winter and showcase the students’ progress.

The BMS band students were first in the concert series lineup last Thursday. It was the 6th grade band’s first concert, and they gave an enthusiastic performance despite their lack of experience. The students began the concert by demonstrating to the audience what each of the instrument sections sounded like with short selections featuring each.

From there they moved into traditional holiday numbers, ending with the song First Holiday Concert, arranged by John O’Reilly.

The 7th graders were up next, performing a mixture of patriotic and holiday pieces, followed by the 8th grade band, who wrapped up the evening with more advanced numbers that they performed well.

This week it was BMS choir students’ turn to showcase what they’ve been learning this year. Directed by music teacher Kristi Lovold, Thursday evening all three choirs sang a fun mixture of winter and holiday songs accompanied by Ruthanne Eldred on piano.

The 6th grade choir began the concert with seven songs, many of which featured students in various parts such as Santa, reindeer and snowmen, as well as a solo performed by Hunter Graftaas during the song Let Us Dance and Sing.

Next up was the 7th grade portion of the evening, which started off with the 7th grade ensemble performing the popular winter song, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! From there the entire 7th grade choir launched into Jingle Bells Rock, with some of the students coming to the front of the stage to ‘rock out’ with inflatable guitars.

Two of the next selections included small group ensembles, and one, Go Tell It, Children! featured a solo by Sophia Fakhreddine.

After the 7th graders concluded with Sleigh Ride, the 8th graders took the stage, beginning with the 8th grade ensemble who sang a fun rendition of It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas. The entire choir then showcased their musical skills with Tiny Little Baby Born in Bethlehem.  

The 8th graders performed four more songs for the enjoyment of the audience, ending with Santa Claus is Coming to Town, which featured a duet by Sawyer Anderson and Zachary Bengtson.