Young musicians entertain in Thompson

Music teacher Justin Leclerc directs his band and chorus. Photos by D. Coffey.

The Thompson Middle School hosted its annual winter concert by sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students on Dec. 15. Music teacher Justin Leclerc led almost 100 students in a multi-faceted performance for families, friends and fellow students.

There was a flurry of activity backstage, as 21 sixth-grade band members prepared for their opening act. The flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, baritone horn, trombone and drums were represented. Leclerc directed them in the “Hallelujah Chorus,” “A Celtic Christmas” and “Rio Bravo.”

When Leclerc called members of the sixth- and seventh-grade chorus to the stage for their performance, there were whoops of delight from students in the audience. The combined choirs included 39 students. They sang “Make a Song for my Heart to Sing,” “There Will be Peace,” and “Sing Noel, Noel.”

This is Leclerc's fifth year teaching music at Thompson Middle School. With almost 100 students participating in band and chorus, Principal Ron Springer said Leclerc was doing a fine job. “He's not stuffy. He's just what you want for the kids,” Springer said.

The seventh- and eighth-grade band performed “Silent Night,” before being joined by the sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade choruses. They sang “Chorale and Mystic Chant,” and “Fum, Fum, Fum.”

Emily Mead performed “O Tannenbaum” on her alto saxophone. Hannah Rockwood performed “The Nutcracker theme” on her flute. “Up on the House Top” was performed by Meaghan Cleary, Mikayla Morales and Sara Watson on clarinet, with Mariah Aubin on bass clarinet.

“I always encourage solos,” Leclerc said after the concert. “Students pick the songs themselves and they learn on their own. But I always stress the team concept. Each grade works on their independence. There are learning curves for all of them. Each musician contributes their own part for the cause of the song.”

Isabella DiNoia, Elizabeth Jourdan, Elizabeth Silvia and Emily Szamocki are the four members of the eighth-grade chorus. They rounded out the show with four songs. Leclerc played the piano for them on “Falling Slowly.” They followed it with “Jazz Cantate” and “Witness.” Their finale was “Seasons of Love” from the musical “Rent.”

“The students feel a sense of accomplishment and pride being a part of the band and chorus,” Leclerc said after the show. Most students don't know how to read music when they take his classes in the fifth grade. All of a sudden they're faced with learning all the symbols and the fingering. “It's a language in and of itself,” he said. “In just seconds they have to know where to place their fingers and how long to hold notes. I keep telling them that it only gets better. Keep doing it. You don't know where it's going to take you.”

Tim Gatzke was there with his family to see his two sons perform. Kyle plays the flute and snare drum and Mark plays the trumpet and bass drum. He said they got their musical talent from their mother, an organist and singer. “I've never had the patience,” Gatzke admitted, laughing.