LUSK – The Niobrara school district provided Christmas cheer and holiday feelings for all those who attended the student Christmas programs over the last week. 

Kicking off the programs was Andie Hubbard and Debbie Rose with the Pre-K through fourth grade and fifth and sixth grade band programs. Presented on Thursday, December 16, the elementary program was a fantastic mix of classic favorites from rock to easy listening. Each grade sang three songs and the fourth grade included two pieces on the recorders. Student speaking parts, vocal solos, beat boxing and even some xylophone solos added to the delightful concert. Hubbard was the long-term substitute teacher for the Pre-K through fourth grade music program and showed a connection with her students that resulted in a well-organized and executed grade school program.

The fifth grade band, directed by Debbie Rose and assisted by Randy Rose, showed wonderful progress on their tonality and musical understanding. The students were focused and showed wonderful discipline during their performance. The sixth grade band was accompanied by the middle school and high school musicians and performed energetically and with great joy.

The next program offered by the district was the Lance Creek children’s program on Monday, December 20. The students of Ms. Miller and Ms. McCann presented a Christmas poem about the reason for the season. The students then presented a play about a mischievous elf who stole Santa’s suite resulting in a grumpy, dieting Santa.

To cap off the seasonal performances, the Lusk Middle School and Niobrara County High School band and choir held it’s program, “Believe, Christmas Then and Now”, on Tuesday, December 21. The choir opened the show with a classic number, “Little Jack Frost Get Lost”. The middle school choir continued the trend with “White Christmas”. A theatrical reading of The Polar Express was given by Arianna Atis, Malachi Ybarra, Archer Widrick, Paris Santistevan and Michael Daniels. Then the combined choir sang a seven minute medley of songs from the score of the movie adaptation of The Polar Express. The choir closed out their show with “Not that Far from Bethlehem” presented by the high school women’s choir.

The band played an extensive selection of seasonal favorites including a beautiful arrangement of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”. The band followed the direction of Randy Rose well. They truly infused the feelings of the songs they played into every note. Despite some instrument difficulties they also provided a wonderful sing-along section of their concert in which they were joined by the choir.

Even the Grinch would have found himself smiling during these programs and if someone came in a bad mood they definitely didn’t leave in one. The district was well represented in the programs.