I read all the time of performances by various groups and individuals in this territory. Fortunately or unfortunately, I do not go out as much as I did when I was younger. Mostly, I go to church, and since my daughter started school here I have gone to all the activities of the Enid Scatliffe Pre-primary School and the Althea Scatliffe Primary School, which she now attends. I want to say what great respect I have for the principals and the vast majority of the staff of these two schools.

In 2011 ASPS had its Christmas concert at the Sir Rupert Briercliff Hall, and I thought that it was such a disaster. I made my feelings known to the listening audience of my radio show, Night Talk. This holiday season, they went back to the drawing board and they outdid themselves. The difference was like chalk and cheese.

Though the principal and staff set a bad example by starting late, once the concert started it moved along without a glitch. After the invocation, the show began with the opening song, “Jingle Bell Rock.” This song was sung by the emcee, one of the class four teachers. While the music played, children of class four started dancing on the stage, then left the stage and continued dancing down one side of the audience and up the other side. Then they returned to the stage and ended the opening act for what would turn out to be an extraordinary evening for all in attendance.

The programme continued with welcome remarks from a class one student, followed by a prayer by another class one student. The recorder ensemble did a fantastic rendition of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” This was followed by a number of class one students, who held up the letters in “Christmas Day,” explaining the meaning of each.

Their performance could be properly appreciated only by attendees. Many of you have heard the boys choir perform and you know how well they sing; their rendition of “What a Wonderful Child” was another exceptional performance. This was followed by choral speech by class three students and a steel band selection.

Performances

The senior choir performed next, with a very beautiful rendition of Christmas melodies. Then came a dance by class two children, followed by class four students telling us, “Do Not Forget.” Staff members then came on stage and danced to some fungi music, which was greeted with loud applause by the audience.

Continuing, class four students did a dance that was superb. At the climax of the concert, class five students performed a short play depicting the coming of Jesus called “A Super Hero Christmas.” This was followed by the junior choir, the drum corps and the Spanish Club, whose members sang “Feliz Navidad” in Spanish and English. A class one student thanked the audience, and the fungi band played again. The concert ended with a song by the principal and staff.

The applause after every act was overwhelming throughout the entire programme. Every parent of the children should have been proud of the performances. I know I was. And we should all be proud and happy to see how this school is moulding our children.

Audience’s manners

One major concern that I had was the lack of respect by so many parents for the children performing in the concert. I refer to the continuous conversation during the performances that at times made it difficult or impossible to hear clearly the young ones doing their best to entertain their parents and other audience members. We must all try to remember and understand that the children of today are extremely smart and while they try to obey their parents, teachers and others they pay keen attention to our actions. And we all are aware of the saying, “actions speak louder than words.”

While there were a few glitches, the major problem was the fact that with such a large staff at the school the music director had no assistance, which would have made for an even better presentation. I am sure that after last month’s experience we look forward to more great concerts as the years go by.

A ‘sour note’

Unfortunately, some people arriving for the concert in vehicles felt it necessary to enter through the exit gate. I spoke to some of them and they were not pleased, and these are parents setting a great example for their children. The one who took the cake was a female who arrived on a motorcycle through the exit gate, not wearing headgear. After doing some investigation I learned that she was a teacher at the same school. I do hope that the principal will find out who this teacher is and give her a good lecture. Here is a list of the licence plates of the vehicles that I recorded before I went inside: MC0732, PJ96, PV19672, PX28, PV14942 and PV17264. If you know any of these drivers, please talk to them, as they may be putting your child in danger. Some have threatened me, but I am too old to be intimidated.

Let me finish by congratulating all the participating students, the principal and the staff. However, special congratulations must go to those who were directly responsible for the event’s inception: the producer, the music director, those who created the scenes, and the writers. And, of course, the emcee did a great job as well.