Slater school Christmas program

Geoff Rands/Democrat-News Autumn Steinhardt performs her solo rendition of "Oh Come Emmanuel" at the Slater Instrumental Music Holiday Concert Wednesday, Dec. 9. Steinhardt's was the only solo to be performed without any assistance from prerecorded music.

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Slater High School's guitar class appeared first that evening, playing "Ode to Joy" and "Sweet Home Chicago" as well as other pieces while accompanied by prerecorded music. The class closed its appearance after Mize joined in, accompanying guitarists on his banjo.

The elementary school band then played a few numbers, including "Jolly Old St. Nick," a piece performed only by a trio of clarinetists.

The junior/senior high school band's performance saw six soloists. Brandon Pointer played "The First Noel" on clarinet, and flutist Jacob Reeter played "Angels We Have Heard on High," both with backing music; and then Autumn Steinhardt performed "Oh Come Emmanuel" on her flute without any help from the PA system. Next came Jessy Krumsiek's jazzy version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" on clarinet, Mike Davis' drum solo for "Little Drummer Boy" and saxophonist Kurtley Taylor's swinging rendition of "Jingle Bells."

Taylor then moved to the piano, and, accompanied by Steinhardt on flute, the pair played "Silent Night" while Superintendent John McEachern gave closing remarks, saying that Christmas may be commercialized, but listening to the lyrics of holiday songs serves as a reminder that it is a silent night, a holy night.

The high school band, accompanied by Mize on his trumpet, played another jazzy version of a traditional Christmas song, this time "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," while the curtains closed.