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Caroling Choir Spreads Cheer Across Islip’s Schools

Pictured: Caroling Choir

Photos courtesy of Islip School District

The Islip Fine and Performing Arts Department held its annual district caroling event on Dec. 21. This year, Islip Middle School students in the seventh and eighth grade choirs were invited to participate to give them the opportunity to work with Islip High School musicians in grades nine through 12. After a quick warmup at the high school, students loaded the buses for their first stop at Maud S. Sherwood Elementary School. After a quick setup of the piano and microphones, the choir spread out across the aisles of the auditorium and immediately started singing a collection of holiday tunes reflecting the season and different cultures. Elementary students sang and danced with the older students, some excitedly seeing their older siblings. Teachers also had the opportunity to see the upperclassmen return to their old schools.

After Sherwood, the students traveled to Wing Elementary School to perform for kindergartners and first graders, and then gave a special lunchtime performance to the prekindergarten students. Then it was off to Commack Road to spread more holiday cheer. At the end of the day, the high school students performed one last time in the main office and over the PA to the entire school.

Caroling Choir Spreads Cheer Across Islip’s Schools

The Islip Fine and Performing Arts Department’s annual caroling event on Dec. 21 spread cheer throughout the district’s schools.

The caroling choir is rehearsed by Dr. Rich Harris, the high school choir director, who also teaches choral lessons at the middle school this year. He rehearsed group holiday songs with both choirs, and students also had the chance to audition for solos.

“Our high school students still have fond memories of when they were in elementary school and the caroling choir visited,” said Director of Fine and Performing Arts Michael Hershkowitz. “It’s one of everyone’s favorite moments of the year.”

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