John Jay Middle School's Winter Choir Concert Scheduled

CROSS RIVER, NY — John Jay Middle School choirs will be performing and spreading holiday cheer this week.

The Winter Choir Concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21 at the John Jay Middle School Theatre. The sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade choirs will perform, followed by Not2#, the all-school a capella group.

John Jay Middle School choirs will also take their 29th annual field trips to share holiday cheer. The seventh-grade choir will sing for residents of Somers Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Dec. 22, and the eighth-grade choir will perform at Waterview Hills and Salem Hills Rehabilitation & Healthcare on Dec. 23. The students will sing concert material, lead a sing-along with residents and give non-denominational ornaments.

The conductor of these groups, Elena Gambulos-Cody, is a trained opera singer who sang leading soprano roles with the Greater Miami Opera Company, the Opera Company of Boston under Sarah Caldwell and the Cleveland Opera. She was also a featured guest performer at Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's state dinner at the White House.

Gambulos-Cody came to John Jay High School in 1986 to give a series of master classes and said found her true calling as a teacher.

“Receiving a standing ovation is nothing compared to the thrill of seeing children succeed,” she said.

Photo credit: Submitted.