Dec 13

Dec 13 At APA, December brings joyful noise and a flood of toys

Parrott Academy’s holiday Music Relay featured high school chorus members: (left to right) Elizabeth Norris, Natalie Christiano, Elizabeth Pittman, and Grayson Wray with faculty accompanists Debbie Fallin on piano and Eulalia VanFosson on viola.

Parrott Academy students and faculty filled the first week of December with holiday music and a spirit of giving. The school’s Tri-M Music Honor Society organized a music relay for Dec. 4th. Throughout the school day, the lobby of the Hobgood Building was filled with performances by choral groups, violinists, the guitar ensemble, pianists, and various orchestra groups.

Music faculty Lisa Duke, Debbie Fallin, and Eulalia VanFosson accompanied the young musicians as they entertained an ever-changing audience. Parents and school visitors, elementary classes on their way to the cafeteria, and high school students during class changes all stopped to listen and applaud.

Reindeer antlers and Santa hats jolly up the APA student orchestra for its Holiday Concert performance.

On Friday Dec. 7th, the entire student body gathered in Ellis Simon gym for a Holiday Concert. The student guitar ensemble, the elementary and high school choirs, and the string orchestra played holiday favorites, including a sing-along of “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.” A final rendition of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” brought together student and faculty singers with a few alumni and special guest performers.

After the concert, student volunteers bagged up 730 toys donated during a week-long toy drive. The toys will go to the Salvation Army of Kinston’s Christmas Cheer Giveaway. Headmaster Bert Bright announced that as a special reward for students’ holiday generosity, there will be a “PJ Day” on December 14th. Students in flannel pajamas, chenille bathrobes, and extra-large onesies will end the fall semester on a festive note.