Every member of the fifth grade chorus gathered to rehearse in the Reed Intermediate School cafetorium on January 18.

Leanna Hinger, Reed choral director, said the fifth grade chorus usually meets in smaller class groups.

“This is the first time our fifth grade is coming together at once,” she said as she began to organize the 125 students filing onto risers and stage steps.

Newtown Director of Visual and Performing Arts Michelle Hiscavich was also in attendance for the rehearsal. She explained that this was also the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic that the group was able to come together to perform.

The group’s first song seemed to acknowledge this reality, with lyrics “It’s a new year, with new possibilities, a new start … right in front of me.”

The music reflected aspects of the season, when “everyone’s dressed like a warm polar bear,” as one song noted. Another piece, “Hot Cocoa,” was a warm ode to a beloved beverage.

“The Armed Forces Medley” was also in the lineup. A student speaker introduced the song, saying, “Honoring our veterans is important, no matter the time of year.”

Later that afternoon, the sixth grade chorus came together to rehearse its winter program.

Both groups performed in the cafetorium the following evening on January 19. The fifth grade chorus sang at 6:30 pm, and the sixth grade chorus sang at 8 pm. The concerts were directed by Hinger and chorus co-teacher Teresa Peters.

Band and orchestra rehearsals for Reed occurred later on in the week and during the week of January 23. On January 24, fifth grade bands performed, with the Blue House section at 6:30 pm and Green House at 8 pm. Sixth grade Blue and Green House bands performed the same time slots on January 25, and on January 26, all members of the Reed Intermediate School Orchestra performed.

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Reporter Noelle Veillette can be reached at noelle@thebee.com.