INNISFAIL – Two weeks ago the town’s youngest at École John Wilson Elementary School were overloaded with excitement to perform the first Christmas musical at their school since 2019.
The restrictions coming from the COVID-19 pandemic forced cancellations in 2020 and 2021. With the lifting of restrictions earlier this year all should have been well for a celebratory return, right?
No. Mother Nature had other plans. Her wrath was furious and bitterly cold in the third week of December.
The first of a trio of 30-minute concerts was cancelled on Dec. 20. The weather picture looked grim for the rest of the week.
But despite the bitter cold the shows did go ahead on Dec. 21 with back-to-back evening concerts. The third and final show went ahead on Dec. 22.
Jill Cummins, the school’s music teacher for the past 11 years, said the situation was “not ideal” as parents and families make extensive plans time of year but the community remained flexible to give their kids the opportunity to perform at an evening concert.
“The show will go on, and we'll find a way, and they seemed really thrilled we were able to do that. Families jumped on board and the word got out. We tried to put it out as quickly as we could with the new times,” said Cummins, whose students from grades 1 through to 4 performed the musical Christmas on Candy Cane Lane. “They (students) were probably feeling a little bit nervous but also excited.
“Just to see their faces throughout the show and at the end receiving the applause, and just knowing all the hard work of practicing over six weeks and to see it not come to fruition would have been disappointing for them,” she said, noting three rehearsals were “squeezed” into one day on Dec. 21. “I think it's fabulous they were able to feel the sense of all that work and effort they put in to create something.
“I knew no matter what they were going to do well and we would all enjoy their performances. And I was super proud of them.”
Cummins said she also knew attending parents and friends at the musicals were also happy with the performances.
“The families looked pleased and happy. I am thrilled they all in the end got to experience the evening concert despite the weather,” she said.
“There's something magical about coming to school in the evening and having a show and seeing what today's students do.”
