By Jean McDermott

Pacelli Principal

The month of December kicks off another exciting Christmas holiday season. This is also the season of Christmas concerts, during which we have the opportunity to showcase Pacelli music programs.  Preschool students, elementary music classes, middle/high school choir, and the elementary/middle school band and orchestra students will all be sharing their musical talents in the coming weeks.

The Pacelli Middle/High School Choir and Pacelli Women’s Honor Choir started off the year performing at the Northwestern Singers Benefit Concert.  The Northwestern Singers raised, with the help of the community, friends and family who attended, a significant amount of money for numerous Austin music programs, including Pacelli.

We are truly grateful for all the support from the community and to the Northwestern Singers for providing such a great opportunity for Pacelli, and all Austin music students, to perform and expand their musical experiences.

The middle/high school choirs continue to share their talents at various community events, including singing for the Hormel Veterans Day Ceremony, appearing at the Lions Club Luncheon, and performing for the The Cedars Assisted Living community.

We look forward to our upcoming Christmas programs. It all begins at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11, with the Grade 7-12 Choir Concert, also featuring selections performed by the Women’s Honor Choir. The concert will be followed with hot chocolate and cookies for a free will donation. Proceeds will go to the Pacelli music program. At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, we will have the Elementary Christmas concert, which will feature grades K-6, Clover Choir, and the Grade 5-8  band and orchestra. We will conclude our concert series with the preschool programs on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Morning preschool classes perform at 5:30 p.m.  Afternoon and Montessori preschool classes perform at 6:45 p.m. Student art will adorn the  hallways and a book fair in the Media Center will be open before, during and after each of the concerts.

All concerts are free and open to the public.  Please join us in the Pacelli auditorium for an evening of Christmas peace and joy.

If you are interested in learning more about Pacelli Catholic Schools visit our website at www.pacellischools.org, email admin@pacellischools.org or call 507-437-3278.