Young Musicians Perform Holiday Classics

Student musicians at played their annual holiday concert to a packed room of parents on Monday. Capping off a daytime double-header for their peers, the young strings players performed an upbeat selection of holiday favorites for families later in the evening.

One hundred students from third, fourth and fifth grades showed off their hours of practice to a crowded cafeteria that was standing room only. Strings teacher Maureen McCusker said it was likely the largest group of students she had ever taught at the school.

Using her own violin and flute to lead, McCusker took the students through a medley of seasonal classics that included “Up on the Housetop,” “Jolly Old St. Nick” and “Jingle Bells.” She was accompanied on the piano by music teacher Jennifer Allert. McCusker’s daughter, Maeve Royce, also performed on bass during some of the compositions and played piano to her own arrangement of “Jingle Bells.”

Violins, violas, cellos and bass are part of the optional strings program at the school. Students are divided into beginner, intermediate and advanced groups to learn music theory and technique including the pizzicato, or plucking, method. McCusker teaches instrumental music at Cape St. Claire and in the Broadneck school cluster.