FOUNTAIN SPRINGS - Children have a way to get adults into the Christmas spirit, especially with song, and the Trinity Academy students did just that Thursday with a special holiday program.
The program, called "Peace on Earth," was a celebration of Christmas held in the fieldhouse at the former Cardinal Brennan Junior-Senior High School, with students from all grade levels participating.
More than 500 people packed the fieldhouse to see the young talent perform on stage.
It was the sixth year for the program, the first held in Annunciation BVM Roman Catholic Church with the other five held in the fieldhouse. Sister Mary Ann Spaetti, IHM principal, said the fieldhouse is a great location because of the size of the building, the availability of parking, use of a concession area and the stage.
"It's great here. It's the perfect facility for it," Sister Mary Ann said.
She said the preparations and practices for the hourlong program began just after the Thanksgiving break.
"The main reason I like having it later in the season like this is that everyone gets to live Advent, which is preparation for Christmas. Then very near to the end of the year, we're doing Christmas," Sister Mary Ann said. "It can be a lot of pressure at this time since this is the busiest week of all, but I like it like that, as do the teachers, because it culminates the Advent preparation."
Sister Mary Ann said there is a lot of help provided, including the Father Ciszek CYO, who operated the concession stand.
"It's a real community event and it always gets me so psyched," she said.
The older students provided the narration before musical numbers. The program opened with the school band, directed by Dale Schimpf, and Kyle Karlavage performing a cello solo of "Away in a Manger" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem." The entire band performed "Wake Up for Christmas," "Christmas on the Farm" and "Not So Silent Night."
A procession was held into the fieldhouse of students carrying battery-operated candles, led by Niki Kline as Mary. The first song, "Come, Lord Jesus," was sung by pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classes. The program followed the Nativity narrative, from the Archangel Gabriel and Mary at the Annunciation, Mary's Magnificat during her visit to her cousin Elizabeth, the recognition of the lineage of Jesus from Abraham through David, the shepherds visiting the manger, the angels rejoicing with "Gloria," and the visit by the Three Kings. Another solo was performed by Sarah Halupa in singing "O Little Town of Bethlehem."
"Silent Night" was sung at the end by the kindergarten class and the audience joined in on "O Come, All Ye Faithful" and "Joy to the World."