Red, White and Elementary School

Standing tall while clad in red, white and blue, the third grade students of East Haddam Elementary School performed two patriotic concerts this past Wednesday, June 1st. The hour-long concert was performed for all of the school’s students and staff during the school day and again in the evening for parents and community members.

Under the direction of their music teacher, Theresa Mazzaferro, the students began learning the songs back in early March with weekly 40- minute rehearsals. In addition to working on the songs at school, Mazzaferro had provided each student with a CD  to practice at home, which they could also keep to enjoy.

The greatest challenge for the students, according to Mazzaferro, was "memorizing all of the words to the songs as they do not use music in the performance."

The song selections paid tribute to our country and to the men and women who serve in our armed forces. The largest part of the program was a selection titled "This Is America" by Jill Gallina. It was a medley comprised of five patriotic and meaningful songs.

Mazzaferro felt that the favorite song for the students was  "I Love My Country" in which the students learned the song using sign language.

The students painted American flags in their art class which were displayed proudly during the closing number called "The Lights Of Freedom".  

Benjamin Mager, a substitute physical education teacher at the school and a member of the Army Reserves, served as voluntary flag bearer for both of the performances.

Mazzaferro was extremely proud of her students. "Their voices and their stage presence was truly amazing."  The concert was also meaningful to her as all three of her children are currently serving in the military.

"My daughters are Navy nurses stationed in Washington D.C. and my son is in the Air Force and currently deployed to Afghanistan."