Story originally printed in the Coulee News or online at www.couleenews.com
Published - Tuesday, December 16, 2008
‘Littlest Reindeer’ ready to run
 A couple elves come to the aid of Santa Claus, who has a major problem with a chimney that's a bit too snug in the Bangor's Elementary School second-grade production of "The Littlest Reindeer." Photo by Michael Martin |
It’s the season for holiday music and second-graders at Bangor Elementary School are getting into the act. They will put on a musical — “The Littlest Reindeer” — Monday, Dec. 15, at 6 p.m. in the school’s multipurpose room. Earlier in the day there will be a school performance
The kindergarteners and first graders will also perform a Christmas program.
The performances are directed by music teacher Mary Jo Bersagel with help from retired teacher Jim Romskog.
Bersagel said she chose this play because the current crop of second graders are excellent singers and enjoy acting. “That seemed like the perfect recipe,” she said.
For Bersagel, who has a real passion for music and for working with children, this will be the 20th year she’s done a Christmas show at Bangor. “It’s not only a job but a fulfillment of a dream to help kids enjoy music,” Bersagel said.
She is appreciative of the help she has received in making sure the Christmas musical tradition at Bangor continues. “The principal and staff, including the maintenance people, are all very supportive and flexible. That’s very important when you’re doing something like this,” Bersagel emphasized.
The work is not without its frustrations — some of the actors and actresses have somewhat short attention spans when it comes to paying attention to directorial cues.
Still, Bersagel said, it’s been worth the hassle. “It takes a lot of energy, but it’s a privilege and joy to do,” she said.
The performance, originally scheduled for Dec. 11, was rescheduled so that Bersagel could attend the funeral of her nephew, a police officer in Houston, Texas who was killed last weekend in the line of duty.
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