Students gave a holly jolly performance

Hill City Elementary students delighted a packed Gins Gym Monday evening with their 2025 Christmas Concert, under the direction of music teacher Alyssa Pena and band instructor Chuck Safrit.

“I am so thankful,” said Pena, “to be part of the Hill City community. I was so impressed with how many people showed up for the kids the night of the concert. It means the world to me and the students.” 

The program opened with the fifth-grade band performing three selections, “Hot Cross Buns,” “Jingle Bells,” and a “Mozart Melody”—which might be recognized as “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”—a piece composed by Mozart at age nine according to Safrit.

Dressed in their holiday best, Cheyenne Linstrom and Anna Dressler’s kindergarten classes were first to take the stage, performing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed-Reindeer” and “Good Things Come in Little Packages” and “Just like me,” an adorably appropriate number for the youngest performers of the evening.

Kim Johnson and Brandi Sperle’s first grade classes frolicked into the spotlight to perform “Reindeer Love to Boogie” and “Winter in the Sand,” a fun show tune style tropical themed song, reminiscent of winter in warmer weather.

Next, Diedre Ortiz and Cassie Bernstein’s second graders sashayed to center stage to perform “Elf on the Shelf,” a lyrical number about the “funny little elf sitting up there on the shelf.” They also entertained the audience with “Christmas Shopping Blues,” a relatable tune about the trials of last-minute holiday shopping.

Brady Chase and Ellie Brady’s third grade classes sang “Cold Snap,” accompanied by their coordinated snapping and clapping, followed by a lively performance of “S-A-N-T-A.”

Fourth grade students from Kelly O’Brien and Mindy Nelson’s classes then took the stage, performing “Winter’s Here,” and “Jingle Bells,” while showcasing a mix of vocals, body percussion and recorder skills.

Finally, Barbara Sachs and Mary Rose Nobel’s fifth grade classes delivered a modern version of  “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” by Tyler the Creator, with a surprise and entertaining guest appearance by the Grinch himself, played by Eden Dale.

The group also performed, “Deck the Halls, A Holiday Bossa Nova” accompanied by bucket drum percussion.

The evening ended on a heartfelt note as students from all grades joined together for a rendition of “Silent Night.” The song opened with a beautiful solo by Twylah Ferguson and concluded with audience participation, as attendees joined in to repeat the first verse, bringing the festive evening to a warm and memorable close.

“Twylah did an incredible job,” said Pena. “I hope her successful performance encourages her and her fellow fifth graders to stick with music as they transition into middle school next year.”

“I couldn’t be more proud of the performance our students put on for the community,” said Pena.