Blackfoot Valley Dispatch - The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980

The Lincoln School will have their Christmas performance after all, despite the lack of an official music teacher and program.

Lincoln School is one of at least 17 schools throughout the state of Montana without a music program this year, but that won't stop them from carrying on their tradition of having a Christmas program. A group of seven teachers and staff, spearheaded by Stacey Mannix and Katie Spencer, have been hard at work organizing the program which is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the school gym.

After the loss of the school's music program in September, there had been some concern about not having a holiday performance at the school. Mannix, along with other teachers and staff, felt the kids deserved to have a performance and the community deserved to see it.

"No one wanted to let the program go and the kids really love it." Mannix said. While teachers are excited about the endeavor, they are also a little nervous about doing it because they really want the community to enjoy it. "We hope people will be understanding and remember this is our first year doing anything like this." she said, and added, "We'd really like to see a full audience to appreciate the performance and show the kids they support all of their hard work."

This year's program, Jingle Bell Juke Box, will be set in a diner and the kids will be decked out in festive holiday poodle skirts, jeans, white t-shirts, and sunglasses. "This has been an educational thing for the kids as well, because there really isn't anything in our curriculum to teach the kids about the 50's era. When we started playing the music and showed them a video on YouTube, the kids thought the way the characters were dressed up was weird and several of them never heard of the Hand Jive or the Jitterbug." Mannix said.

When she explained to them that students used to hang out in diners similar to the Pit Stop, the kids were like "Hey, that's what we do now," and could relate to it better.

The kids are very excited about their performance and are already working hard to learn their song lyrics. Students in grades Pre-K through 6th, along with some high-schoolers will be starring in the production. Additionally, high school students, along with help from some PTSO members, will be assisting with the design and set building. Dress-rehearsals are set for Dec. 16-18.

To put the costumes together for the performance, they need help sewing the costumes. They will need a total of 32 skirts, ranging in kids sizes small to large, for students in Pre-School to 6th Grade. A simple pattern and fabric have been donated. Several sewers in the community have offered to help, but organizers would appreciate more assistance. After the program, the skirts can be used again for other productions in town.

In addition to help with the costumes, they are looking to decorate the set with gift-wrapped boxes. While the school has no shortage of boxes, they could really use donations of Christmas wrapping paper, as well as volunteers to wrap boxes.

If you can help with sewing, donations of gift wrap or have time to wrap boxes, please contact Stacey at the school.

Rumor has it the Grinch and Santa will both be making an appearance during the program. The concert is open to everyone and is free of charge.