Winter is the season of music, and Florida’s student musicians celebrated with an impressive array of concerts and performances throughout December.

The Florida community gathered together on the grounds of the Old School Baptist Meeting House on Dec. 1 for the traditional lighting of the village Christmas tree, and select members of Golden Hill Elementary School’s Fifth Grade Band were among the performers. The school’s second graders also sang a selection of holiday carols.
“We welcomed the holiday spirit in our festive hats and ‘sang Santa in’ as he arrived on a fire truck,” said Golden Hill music teacher Kristen Risedorph.
In the schools and the community, Florida students also performed at the Golden Hill Winter Concert on Dec. 6; the Warwick Friendly Visitor Program Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on Dec. 11; the Middle School Winter Concert and Art Show on Dec. 14; and the School Winter Concert and Art Show on Dec. 20. The middle and high school concerts also featured exhibits of student artwork displayed in the hallways.

The study of art and music has been shown to improve learning throughout all academic areas, and participation in an arts program can help raise student attendance, encourage collaboration, enhance creativity, and foster a love of learning.
“Arts education – music and all the humanities – is beyond vital to our students’ education,” said Ms. Risedorph. “It’s what makes us the humans that we are. Music, dance, art, anything expressed through creation is a touchstone of life.”