2010+Christmas+Roadshow

**St Andrew’s students share the Christmas spirit** media type="custom" key="9870949" align="right"

On Friday 10 December, 20 students from St Andrew’s Primary, Marayong performed Christmas carols concerts for their older neighbours at three local aged care facilities and for Christmas shoppers at two nearby shopping centres.

The student choir and quintet performed at Our Lady of Consolation Nursing Home, Rooty Hill; St Elizabeth’s Home, Deans Park; and Holy Family Services, Marayong, as well as for shoppers at Westpoint Shopping Centre, Blacktown and Quakers Court, Marayong. This was the first time the group had played publicly after only training together for less than a term.

The students performed a colourful variety of songs, including //The Little Drummer Boy//, //Ave Maria// and //We Wish You a Merry Christmas//. At the conclusion of each concert the students distributed handmade Christmas cards to audience members.

Although the students had only been working together for a short period, many had participated in CAPTIVATE - the Diocese of Parramatta’s creative and performing arts initiative for schools. The members of the quintet were a part of the 'Strings Things' program in 2009 – an initiative to teach primary school students a stringed instrument. Members of the choir had also performed as part of the CAPTIVATE combined primary schools choir at a number of events

St Andrew’s teacher and concert organiser, Adam Fletcher, said the performances gave the students the opportunity to share their talents with others. He also thanked St Andrew’s music teacher, Andras Racz, for all his work with the project.

‘We wanted to show the community what we have achieved in such a short amount of time,’ said Adam. ‘It was a chance for the students to put into practice Jesus’ message of reaching out to others by sharing your own gifts with them.’

‘I’d particularly like to acknowledge Andras Racz for giving up so much time of his time to arrange the music and to prepare the students,’ he said.

St Andrew’s principal, Richard McGuiness, said the concerts were a great learning experience for the students.

‘We have a number of talented musicians and singers at our school,’ said Richard. ‘Performing at these concerts has greatly helped to further enhance their technical and performance skills.’

‘It’s been a wonderful experience for all involved,’ he said.