A boisterous holiday concert last week heralded the
return of music performances to Coulston Elementary
following a two-year pandemic hiatus.
“These second grade students haven’t had a group
gather this big since they were in kindergarten,” music
teacher Mrs. Meredith Hall said before the “Fa la la
land”-themed program. The event also marked the first
time the entire Coulston student body had gathered
for a convocation since the onset of the pandemic.
“We pass one another in the halls, but are so excited to
be together in one place,” Mrs. Hall said. “That sense of
community and team are a vital part of the Coulston
culture, and we have been missing one another.”
The journey to live performances began with last
month’s Veterans Day celebration.
“Veterans Day is a highlight of our year, and we just
couldn't imagine not doing something to recognize
these heroic Americans and their sacrifice for us all,”
Mrs. Hall said.
Third, fourth, and fifth graders joined the celebration,
and the fourth graders invited veterans in their families
to attend. It was particularly meaningful to Max
Lockridge.
“My favorite part was being able to speak in front of the
crowd and having my Great-grandma Kolls there. She
was there to honor my great-grandfather, Wally Kolls
(a Marine in World War II), and also see the pictures of
Nanny (Helen Sexton, U.S. Navy Nurse) and Grampy
(Gene Sexton, U.S. Navy) in the slideshow,” Max, the son
of Luke and Susan Lockridge, said.
The return to live performances gives students a
chance to hone critical skills, such as handling anxiety
and problem solving, including learning to recover if
someone skips a line.
“Performance anxiety is real, and giving students the
opportunity to prepare, relax, and face their fears is one
of life's greatest lessons,” Mrs. Hall said. “And let's be
honest, there is nothing like the feeling of an audience
laughing at a joke or jumping to their feet in applause
following your performance. That adrenaline rush is
hard to match.”
Students learned that first-hand last week after
wrapping up the final number.
It’s all part of a long-term plan to help students make
quick decisions and learn to work hard at perfecting a
skill.
“These kiddos may never be professional musicians,
dancers or actors,” Mrs. Hall said. “They will, however,
be adults that can sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in tune and
react to the emotion of a beautiful song or dance at
their high school prom. They will forever be tuneful,
beatful and, most importantly, artful!”