(Posted Nov. 22, 2022)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Students in West Jefferson Local Schools’ music department are hard at work helping others get into the holiday spirit.
The choral and instrumental programs are performing at several events over the next few weeks, starting with the music department’s Celebration of the Season on Dec. 4 in the high school auditeria. The combined seventh- and eighth-grade choir and band will perform at 2 p.m. The high school’s concert choir, chamber choir, concert band and jazz band will play at 4 p.m. Admission is free.
On Dec. 8, the jazz band will return for another year in a long line of years as entertainment at the West Jefferson Senior Citizens Christmas Party. Sponsored by the West Jefferson Community Association, the party takes place at the high school.
The next day, on Dec. 9, the jazz band will perform from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at Polaris Fashion Place in Columbus. This is the first time the band has performed for the mall’s Sounds of the Season celebration. They and other school groups from the Columbus area will appear on stage in the center of the mall.
Also on Dec. 9, the jazz band and chamber choir will perform at 6:30 p.m. at West Jefferson’s Christmas in the Park at Garrette Park. This is another longstanding performance opportunity for the high school music groups.
Finishing out their busy schedule, the jazz band has been invited back as entertainment at the Ohio Supreme Court holiday celebration in Columbus on Dec. 13. The band first played the gig in 2019. Following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they are making their second appearance. In addition to performing for two hours, the band members will get to hear the head justice speak and see the Supreme Court chambers.
Elmer Broecker is the band director. Amanda Rose-Hobbs is the choir director.
