Joyful Songs

I love my children's elementary school.  Today parents gathered in the gym to watch a most creative and endearing winter music program.  The music and drama teacher had each grade singing unexpectedly wonderful songs all about JOY.

Kindergarten - The Sharing Song - Jack Johnson
1st Grade - I'd Like To Teach the World to Sing
2nd Grade - Three Little Birds - Bob Marley
3rd Grade - a duet of Dreidle, Dredle and Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer
4th Grade - Don't Worry Be Happy - Bobby McFaren
5th Grade - Firework - Katy Perry
5th Grade - We are Going to Be Friends -  The White Stripes
6th Grade - Candlelight by the Maccabeats - a Jewish remake of Dynamite by Taio Cruz
7th Grade - Miracle by the Maccabeats - Jewish rap ?!?
8th Grade - Reciting a Christmas poem - Ring Out Wild Bells by Alfred Lord Tennyson

The younger classes sang, hearts full, voices strong in cute costumes in front of a giant painted olive tree.  Jacob's class, dressed in green, wore leaf crowns with doves attached for 1st grade.  3rd grade [Michael's] had all the boys dressed in solid blue for Dreidle, Dreidle and all the girls in red for Rudolf as they harmoniously brought the 2 songs together. 

Some lyrics in other songs were adjusted  - "The teacher says your homework is late - she may have to litigate" as teachers acted out being mad until a giant yellow happy face is placed on their head in Don't Worry Be Happy.  The older kids sang like they were auditioning for American Idol.  It made me smile as they took individual turns belting out lines while their classmates rocked out dancing behind them.  They danced to Jewish rap songs (?!) or had spray painted hair for the Katy Perry piece.  A middle school band with drums, trumpet and electric guitar accompanied many numbers.  Only at McGillis!  Happy Holidays!!