Stissing Mountain honors Sandy Hook victims through song

By Kayla Gangloff

kaylag@millertonnews.com

PINE PLAINS — The Stissing Mountain High School band and chorus included acknowledgement of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementery School in Newtown, Conn., in mid-December at its annual Winter Concert on Tuesday, Dec. 18, in the high school auditorium.

The concert format mixed choral, band, jazz band and solo performances throughout the night working in to the Christmas themes as the night went on.

Student Rachel Simmons, accompanied by the high school jazz band, sang  “Santa Baby.”

Simmons’ mature voice lent a sultriness to the quirky holiday favorite and the performance yielded many moments of applause and cheers throughout the song.

Soloist Nathan Badore addressed the audience before singing his tribute to the victims of the recent tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, Conn.

“This has always been my favorite Christmas song. In light of the recent events I think you’ll all find it a fitting tribute,” he said.

Badore went on to sing “Blue Christmas” made famous by Elvis Presley.

While Badore is only a high school student, the maturity in his voice warranted the roaring applause he was met with at the end of the song.

Lightening the mood were soloists Sarah Beam, who, accompanied by Simmons, sang Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” which was also met with lots of applause.

The entire concert was lead by Band and Choral Director Joseph DeVeau who not only oversaw the performances for the band and choral departments but also played guitar, piano and helped with lighting.

For more information on upcoming events at Stissing Mountain High School go to www.pineplainsschools.org.

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