From Saint Matthew School
Each Christmas, the students at Saint Matthew School prepare a pageant that highlights the performing and visual arts programs.
This past Christmas, a capacity crowd experienced the glorious birth of our Savior through the eyes of these young children.
The successful performance was possible because of the time offered by several mentors in music and theater.
The Best Christmas Present is a lighthearted story of how the elves try to find the best Christmas present, only to discover that it is our Savior, Jesus Christ.
“It was a lot of fun to be one of the lead elves,” said fourth grader Rian McManigal. “We had to keep the story going and also help the smaller elves find their spot on the stage.”
The evening began with vocal numbers by each class of students and included two selections by the Saint Matthew School Chime Choir.
Music teacher Debbie Johnson commented, “It is so rewarding to see these young musicians be so willing to learn songs and be open to new experiences with instruments. Passing on a love of music and helping each child find their particular area of interest is what makes this experience so amazing.”
Prior to show night, the performance portion of the program included workshop sessions in acting as well as costume and set design and construction.
That expertise came from members of the local theater company, the Tyrone Community Players.
“Training a new generation of children in the magic of theater is such a rewarding experience,” said Cindy Bennett, a TCP veteran and Board member. “Acting is not for everyone, but everyone benefits from learning how to express themselves in front of others and becoming confident with talking in public.”
The other part of theater magic is what happens off stage.
TCP member Nancy Sloss spearheaded the creation of costume pieces that would help the actors become their character.
“It would be easier to just give each child a costume to wear, but to truly develop an appreciation for theater, an actor needs to recognize all the work that goes on backstage before the actor steps on stage,” she said.
Each actor was tasked with making a main costume piece that represented their character. In addition, they created a Christmas present ornament to display on stage as part of the décor.
Kindergartener Brynlee Smith was very excited about her elf costume exclaiming, “My hat is so shiny and sparkly, and I can’t wait to wear it!”
Added classmate Brodie Daughenbaugh: “My hat is so funny.”
The entire Saint Matthew School Christmas program including the vocal, instrumental and musical performance can be viewed through the link on the Saint Matthew School Tyrone Facebook page.
Principal Pauline Wiley commented, “Our students are so fortunate to have this opportunity to share their God-given talents under the direction of these local mentors. There is no better way to celebrate true meaning of Christmas than by enjoying the joy exuded by these young children.”
[Photo: Saint Matthew School students wear the costume head piece created with Tyrone Community Player mentors Cindy Bennett and Nancy Sloss.]
