School Musicians Light Up Holiday Festivities

Manchester residents who braved the cold were treated to holiday standards performed by local schools the during the township's annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony.

The Dec. 3 event was punctuated with music from local groups, including the Manchester High School Jazz Combo, lead by first-year director Raymond Sinclair.

The eight piece combo warmed up the crowd during their first public performance this school year.

Sinclair said that the group put a jazz spin on each song. "Let's do 'Up on the Housetop,'" the leader instructed his musicians. "Number 15. It's two times through."

With that cue, his ensemble: drummer, trumpeter, trombonist, clarinetist, two alto saxophonists and electric and bass guitarists, began playing in front of the township courthouse just feet from the tree.

Sinclair, who taught in Connecticut for three years before moving to the area, said he is happy to teach in Manchester because of its residents.

The spirit of community at the ceremony exemplified this. "I like the town. I feel the high school is very family-oriented," he said. "The teachers care about the program we're trying to build up."

Sinclair said that he and his students enjoyed performing for residents and wants to engage more often with the community. "It's good that the kids wanted to get involved," he said. "We hope there will be more opportunities. We love to do it."