Winter Concerts By Public School Students Planned

The mission statement of Newtown Public School Music Department reads as follows: “All children can and will learn music well by creating, performing, and responding in a variety of musical activities that lead to a lifelong involvement in the arts.”

As part of that mission, all music students in the town’s public schools offer seasonal concerts, including winter performances, that are open to the public free of charge. The music department is presently performing the 2007 Winter Concerts.

In the event school is delayed due to snow or other weather-related emergencies on the day of a concert, contact the school hosting the performance to check on changes in the performance schedule. If school is cancelled due to snow or weather on the day of a concert, the concert will automatically be postponed to its snow date.

A few groups — Sandy Hook Elementary School Chorus; NHS Concert Band, Symphonic Band, String Ensemble, Freshman Choir, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Concert Choir, and Chamber Choir; and Head O’ Meadow School — have already presented their winter concerts, but many group are still lining up to offer their winter finest. The schedule follows:

*Tuesday, December 18, at 7 pm: Newtown Middle School 8th Grade Winter Concert, at Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Road (snow date January 7); 426-7638.

*Wednesday, December 19, at 7 pm: NMS 7th Grade Winter Concert, at Newtown High School (snow date January 8); 426-7638.

*Wednesday, January 9, at 7 pm: Hawley Chorus Winter Concert, at Newtown High School (snow date January 22); 426-7666.

*Monday, January 14, at 7 pm: Reed School 5th Grade Chorus & Orchestra Winter Concert, Reed Intermediate School, 3 Trades Lane (snow date January 16); 270-4880.

*Tuesday, January 15, at 7 pm: Reed School 6th Grade Chorus & Orchestra Winter Concert, Reed Intermediate School (snow date January 17); 270-4880.

*Friday, January 18, NHS Madrigal Dinner featuring the NHS Singers, at Stony Hill Inn, Route 6 in Bethel, tickets available through NHS Chorus (snow date January 26); 426-7646.

*Tuesday, January 22, at 7:30 pm: Middle Gate Winter Concert, Middle Gate School, 12 Cold Spring Road (snow date January 28); 426-7662.

*Wednesday, January 23, at 6:15, 7:15 and 8 pm: RIS 5th Grade Band Winter Concert, Reed Intermediate School (snow date January 30); 426-7662.

*Thursday, January 23, at 7 (Blue House) and 8 pm (Green House): RIS 6th Grade Band Winter Concert, Reed Intermediate School (snow date January 31); 426-7662.