ACS students in grades 6-12 shared the joy of the good news of Christ’s birth through vocal, instrumental, and drama presentations at the Upper School Christmas Concert on Tuesday, December 6. The middle school and high school combined bands performed six songs, including “Away in a Manger” by the high school wind ensemble and a lively rendition of “Feliz Navidad” that closed the first half of the concert. The Drama Club, under the direction of Amy Culleny, presented a skit entitled “Build a Doll.” The Middle School and High School combined chorales performed songs from a worshipful new musical — “Light: Out of the Darkness.”
The drama skit was set in a mall store. The store manager, played by 9th grader Ashleigh Martin, sold life-like dolls. Most of the dolls, like “Material Maggie” played by 4th grader Autumn Loo, were flashy, yet materialistic and selfish, and left customers, including 9th grader Kathryn Winder, dissatisfied with their purchases. However, one of the more simple dolls, “Simple Sally” played by 4th grader Elana Epps, had a caring spirit and made a positive difference in the customer’s life. The skit exemplified how Jesus humbled Himself and came to this earth to lay down His life for mankind, the true gift of Christmas.
The uplifting songs in the Christmas cantata performed by the combined chorales focused on how the baby born in Bethlehem was to become the light of the world and featured ACS 10th grader Eniel Hernandez and 12th grader Dakota Hitchner as narrators. A number of students also had featured solos — 11th grader Naomi Glancey, 9th grader Ashleigh Martin, 8th grader Sydney Pearson, and 6th grader Jason Herrera, who received warm applause from the audience as he closed the concert with a joyous rendition of “This Little Light of Mine.”