Holiday Sing-Along
Students and seniors sing together in Oceanside
Students from Oceanside School #2 paid a special visit to the Oceanside Senior Center Dec. 9 for a holiday concert. Ninety-five chorus students in fourth, fifth and sixth grade performed songs they prepared, as well as watched performers from the senior center's singing group, the Mill River Players, in what has become an annual sing-along tradition. Students and seniors also performed several songs together.
Music teacher Mary Mugno said the holiday concert at the senior center has been a tradition for more than 20 years. This year was her eighth year participating. "It's been a wonderful tradition that we look forward to every year," Mugno said, adding that she hopes to make another trip to the center in the spring.
Sixth-grade students Lauren Pastrana and Jessie Billi, both 11, said they enjoyed performing and having lunch at the senior center. "Listening to the seniors at the center sing was pretty cool," Jessie said. Lauren was impressed by the seniors' singing and dancing. "It makes me feel like they can do anything, and I can do anything," she said. Lauren and Jessie also enjoyed an Alvin and the Chipmunks routine performed by the seniors.
The feeling was mutual. Gloria Marsala, a member of the Mill River Players, said the students' performance was wonderful. "Each year I sing and they get better and better," she said. Barbara Politano, who volunteers at the center, agreed. "It was beautiful," she said. "The children did a beautiful job." Rosetta Mallarchi, who sings with the Mill River Players and co-directs the group with Stuart Waters, said it was especially fun to listen to the students perform more upbeat, "cool" songs. "It's very nice. The seniors particularly enjoy it," she said.
Students and seniors performed a number of holiday songs separately, then joined together for a rendition of Jingle Bell Rock, complete with synchronized hand movements and a tap routine. The concert also included dancing, a Menorah lighting, a visit from Santa, and lunch, which seniors and students enjoyed together at the center.
