CHRISTMAS PAGEANT:PART ONE
Perhaps, the Christmas Pageant was politically incorrect, a somewhat frivolous expense, for one hour of holiday thrills, but this event was THE most wonderful time of the year. Dear Andy Williams did not know Graland School, but this man, whose music I sorely miss, got it right. We speak of the Golden Age of Graland School -- for me the Golden Age was the 80’s. One magical moment of that age was the concerts Barb Wagner orchestrated during her years as our music teacher. From “The Twelve Days of Christmas” to “Tzena, Tzena,” the Elmer Nelson Gymnasium rocked. The finale of each year was the much anticipated “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Almost as moving as Judy Graland singing “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”
I am a Christmas music junkie, but nothing surpasses the joy of those moments. God was in his heaven, and all was well with the world. As always, as we rush out of Graland at noon on Friday, I will be smiling, for I shall be thinking about those years. Some describe me as the man who never smiles, but I’ll be beaming on Friday as I think about December, 1983, the year that some young ladies. who graduated in 1984, sang so beautifully that members of the audience cried. Yes, I did. With thanks to that group -- they know who they are. I would list their names, but I might forget one of those talented young ladies.
I end my ramblings with a quote from Ms. Fetter’s book: “Due to budgetary, religious, and multicultural concerns, the Pageant was replaced during the 1990’s by an annual winter program.”
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
