"Way up in the sky, little lamb, Do you see what I see?" sang second grade students, pointing upward. Singing "Do You Hear What I Hear?" are (from left, front row) Ben Coveyou, Colby Harmon, Joseph Scott, Hunter Amacher, Gavin Smith; (back) Riley Allen, A.J. Ellison, Lance Littleton, and Randy Rickley. More than 315 students from St. Ignace Elementary presented a holiday music program that drew a standing ovation from parents, relatives, and residents.

The parking lot was jammed with vehicles and the crowd filled all available seats and stood along the edges of the Middle School gymnasium to listen to seasonal music sung by developmental kindergarten to sixth grade students Thursday evening, December 18. The room was filled to capacity and a handful of people were turned away from attending, owing to space constraints.

Preparations for the musical event began early in the school day, when students gathered in the gymnasium to rehearse. In the afternoon, they again met for a complete rehearsal in preparation for the evening event. They took turns singing on stage, practicing their entrances and exits, and learning their seats.

St. Ignace developmental kindergarten students join kindergarten students to sing "Up on the Housetop." The children use hand movements to accompany the words to the popular Christmas carol. Students pictured are (front, from left) Wyatt Ingalls, Madyson Clark, Ayla Kilponen, Ronnie Paquin, Drew Stockero; (back) Addison Cheeseman, Austin Graham, and Zach Erskine. Music instructor Stephanie Terpening directed the students and Leeanne Lane was the piano accompanist.

The concert began with the Children's Chorus singing the "Carol of the Bells" by M. Leontovich, and the Youth Chamber Choir offered "Noel, Noel" by James Pierpont. They were followed by each classroom signing one song, including the St. Ignace Co-op Preschool students.

Custom-made props drew applause from the audience. The props, which included gold rings and hats depicting swans, geese, French hens, and calling birds were used for the grand finale, when all students joined to sing "The Twelve Days of Christmas."

At right: Waiting for their turn to stand and play are four of the "11 pipers piping." The sixth grade pipers are (from left) Sarah Smith, Gabriel Davis, Angela Donajkowski, and Micaela O'Rourke. The one-of-a-kind accessories were made by seminar students working with sixth grade science and social studies teacher Heather Brady.

Donations were collected at the door to help purchase a new piano for the Middle School.

First grade student Caden Hughey stood tall and waved the Two Turtle Doves for all of the concert audience to see. To his left are "French Hens" Chelsey Coleman (left) and Brianna McLennan. With dangling feet and long necks, the "Seven Swans a Swimming" were a popular portion of the concert. Representing the swans are fifth grade students (from left) Ben Freier, Kirsten Twork, Kaitlin O'Rourke, Lucas Gustafson, Leuna St. Andrew, and Gage Kreski.