The holidays are quickly approaching, which means it is time to celebrate through music and song for our Carroll Choir and Dragon Band programs. In past years, these groups have held community-wide concerts, but due to the current circumstances, they have opted for virtual and family-only concerts this year. The directors have found creative ways to still allow students to share their music with their friends and families, all while maintaining safety standards.

The Carroll Theatre department is hosting a virtual holiday variety show, appropriate for the entire family! The show is on Thursday, December 10 at 7 p.m., and will feature the Carroll Theatre team of 16 actors and 6 technicians doing sketch comedy, music, dancing, and guest performances by the Carroll Choir and Jazz Band. Log onto the Carroll Theatre YouTube for a cozy night of family fun. Click here to view the digital Playbill.

Carroll Middle school and high school choirs are having students submit individual recordings, which will be combined into a virtual concert video. The choirs will be publishing the videos for all to enjoy this holiday season once they are completed!

The Dragon Band is maintaining their holiday concert tradition, but with a twist this year. Not only are the concerts for immediate family only, but they have also split their traditional one-night concert of four bands across two nights, Wednesday and Thursday, to cut down on participants and audience members in the building. Only immediate family members of each group are allowed to attend, they will be expected to wear masks, and will be spread out across the gym in the upper and lower levels.

The students will be seated in a 6' x 6' grid across the gym floor, wearing instrument covers and special blow-hole masks that can be worn while the musicians play their instruments. Student participation in these concert events is entirely voluntary. Any student/family who didn't feel comfortable participating has been able to opt out without any pressure.

The first concert is Wednesday, December 9 in the CHS competition gymnasium, and will feature our two sub non varsity groups: Symphonic Winds White at 6 p.m. and Symphonic Winds Green at 7 p.m. Thursday, December 10, will be the non varsity Wind Ensemble at 6 p.m., followed by our Jazz Orchestra and varsity Wind Symphony at 7 p.m., also held in the Carroll High School competition gym.

Another holiday favorite is the Old Union Elementary School sing-a-long, which will also be held virtually this year. The students will be recorded singing and the video will played over the broadcast announcement on the last day of school before the winter break.