Elementary and middle schools orchestras performing holiday concert

The Ponca City Public Schools Elementary and Middle School Orchestras will present their annual Holiday Concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, in the Ponca City Schools Concert Hall.

There is no admission charge, and the public is cordially invited to attend this Holiday Concert.

The concert will open with the 122-member 5^th Grade Orchestra performing Rolling Along and Good King Wenceslas. The 5^th grade orchestra is under the direction of Katie Rolf.

Next, the 51-member 6^th Grade Orchestra takes the stage to perform a holiday favorite, Up On The Housetop, arranged by John O’Reilly. The group will then perform O’Reilly’s creative, all-pizzicato piece titled Pizzicato Magic. Closing their portion of the concert will be Santa Claus is Coming to Town, a bright and cheery piece arranged by Bob Cerulli, featuring an appearance by Santa Claus. The 6^th Grade Orchestra is under the direction of Ella Gordon.

The program continues with the 46-member 7^th Grade Orchestra under the direction of Katie Rolf. Their portion of the concert opens with Robert Longfield’s arrangement of the familiar, toe-tapping classic, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Their second piece highlights an authentic folk sound with double stops, slap bass, and finger slides through Jeremy Woolstenhulme’s Yee Haw! The 7^th Grade Orchestra will conclude their portion of the concert with Jingle Bell Rock, arranged by Bruce Chase.

Following the 7^th Grade Orchestra will be the 41-member 8^th Grade Orchestra under the direction of Ella Gordon. The 8^th Grade Orchestra will open with Larry Clark’s bright and fun Contredanse. This piece features bright tonalities and rhythms that give it a country-dance appeal. They continue the concert with the energetic piece, Dance of the Tumblers arranged by Todd Parrish. Closing their portion of the concert will be John Caponegro’s arrangement of the well-known Christmas tune, Ukrainian Bell Carol.

To conclude the concert, the 5^th-8^th Grade Orchestras will combine on stage to perform the traditional holiday tune Jingle Bells.

Santa Claus will be available in the lobby from 6 to 7 p.m. for pictures.