A holiday tradition grows in Schuylerville

Students at sing-a-longThe last day of school before the holiday recess is always a special one for Schuylerville Elementary School students. That’s because for the past 18 years, students and teachers have gathered for a holiday sing-along, led by music teacher Christopher Tucker.

“It started with me and a synthesizer in the cafeteria, but over the years it has grown into a big production,” Tucker said.

The production now involves the high school auditorium, a reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and a “reindeer band,” made up of faculty members and high school band students, accompanying Tucker’s singing.

“It’s so much fun to be a part of the band,” junior McClean Pink said. “I remember looking forward to the sing-along in elementary school; Mr. Tucker always made it special. I’m glad I can now be a part of making it special for the younger kids.”

Each year, Tucker tries to do something different to make the experience exciting for the older students who have been to several sing-alongs. One year, he made it snow on stage. Another year, he opened the show with a video. He always decorates the stage to look like a winter wonderland.

“The reaction of the kids is priceless,” Tucker said. “Everybody is always excited to sing, no matter who it is, how good they are or what song it is, they just want to be part of it.”