Back in the days of one-room schools, snowy rural roads and little winter entertainment, the school Christmas concert drew people from miles around.
From the youngest to the oldest, recitations were memorized, songs were learned and a Christmas pageant most likely ended the evening’s festivities along with a visit from Santa Claus.
With amalgamation, declining rural populations and a move away from Christian influences, the modern performance is now often presented as a holiday concert.
Lori Arthur, a music teacher in Manitoba’s Louis Riel school division, said the entertainment in December has evolved to be a musical production centred around winter.
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“My winter concert this year is about a snowstorm in Manitoba and what you can do when it snows,” she said. “There is no mention of Santa Claus or gifts. Some cultures don’t believe in Santa Claus, so he is not mentioned in my concerts.”
Frances Vestby, who teaches in the Swan Valley school division, said the concerts in her school centre around good will, happiness and being kind.
“We still call our concert a Christmas concert, but there are no religious references,” she said.
The concerts today are more professional in the presentation and are generally a group activity led by the music teacher without too many individual parts, she said.
The changes are driven by cultural awareness, parental direction and suggestions from the administration, said Vestby.
She said the older concert model was more entertaining because each class contributed and more individual children were given roles.
“I believe there are people who want a more traditional Christmas concert. When I went to school, we sang, we recited, we acted the Christmas story.”
Arthur said she doesn’t get the same support from parents as in the past because of people’s busy lifestyles.
She schedules a full cast closing number to ensure all children get to stay to the end and enjoy the full experience of being part of a fun holiday production.
The days of Joseph making Mary cry by pulling her hair have been replaced by new more secular, polished productions that still rely on children performing in front of their proud parents.
“For me, what we do is still a musical presentation and the kids are giving a wonderful performance,” said Arthur.
“The content is secondary if the kids can shine on stage. I’ve seen shy kids blossom and brave ones struggle. In the end, I want them to enjoy the moment.”
