Christmas vocal, band concerts here already

Thanksgiving gatherings are now past, and Christmas is just around the corner.
Chase County Schools’ music classes are preparing to perform their Christmas/holiday concerts for the public.
The concert schedule will be kicked off with elementary music teacher Jodie Liess directing the K-5 vocal concert on Dec. 7 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Longhorn gym.
“We will be singing a variety of songs including S.A.N.T.A.; Christmas, Christmas; Santa, What a Guy; Fiesta de Navidad; Like Diamonds in the Night and Red Bird,” Liess said.
A number of students will also be performing a few percussion pieces with bells.
Second music concert
On Dec. 9, there will be a combined band/choir concert.
This concert will be under the direction of Agnes Strand, Director of Bands, and David Rushing, 6-12 vocal music.
The concert will be held in the CCS auditorium beginning  at 6 p.m.
First to perform will be the high school concert band followed by the 6th grade band.
Finishing up the band segment of the concert, the Simply Jazz band will perform several songs.
“We are calling it a holiday concert because, while there will be some Christmas tunes played, we are also honoring our Jewish friends’ celebration of Hanukkah, our African friends celebrating Kwanzaa as well as a rousing USA patriotic tune,” said Strand.
After a stage re-set, the 6-8 vocal concert will begin.
“None of the songs are exactly ‘Christmas,’ but some send the same message and have some of the same lyrics as classic Christmas tunes,” Rushing said.
The choir portion of the concert will be more holiday/winter tunes, he added.