Beaver Creek Students Celebrate Winter Break with Festive Tunes

students and staff showcased their holiday cheer during an all-school winter concert Thursday.

The school kicked off winter break with performances of holiday favorites like "Sleigh Ride" and "Auld Lang Syne."

The afternoon performance started with the 12-member Beaver Creek Staff Band performing three songs.

The band, comprised of staff members playing flutes, trumpets, guitars and other musical instruments, performed "Frosty the Snowman," "Bring A Torch, Jannette Isabelle" and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" for the entire school.

Fourth-grade students performed "Don Gato," while the fifth-grade classes performed "Red River Valley" and "50 States in Rhyme."

The entire school got in on the performance of "Auld Lang Syne" as part of the Songs of the Month program at the school.

Cindy Rash, second- to fifth-grade music teacher, said the intent of Songs of the Month is to "gather the student population and celebrate signing and music."

"It is a way to settle our students and pass on traditional songs from years past," she said. "The multi-age experience provides interaction between siblings at home. Additionally, this provides an opportunity for multi-generations to share songs outside of the music classroom."

The idea for Songs of the Month came from fellow music teacher Sandy Miller at .

Songs have included "Star Spangled Banner" and "Camptown Races." The students have the chance to perform the songs at different assemblies throughout the year.

Johnston schools let out for winter break on Thursday afternoon. School begins in the new year on Jan. 4.