Middle Gate Elementary School’s fourth grade chorus delighted family and friends with its winter concert, titled “Will There Be A Snow Day?,” on Monday, January 12.

Held at Newtown High School, the concert saw dozens of parents, caretakers, and siblings come out to support their loved ones. So many people attended that nearly every seat in the high school’s auditorium was filled for the special occasion.

The crowd excitedly waited until the fourth grade chorus, also known as the Middle Gate Singers, walked down the aisles and onto the stage. Students waved out to their family and friends in the audience before taking their places.

Middle Gate music teacher Tina Jones joined her students on stage, accompanying them on piano for Middle Gate’s school song, “The Place for You and Me,” and “America the Beautiful.”

Afterwards, Middle Gate Principal Jenna Connors welcomed everyone to the concert, saying the wintry weather made it “a perfect night to get cozy with some music.”

She called the students’ rehearsal an amazing concert in and of itself, and said they were ready to put on a spectacular show.

“The students and staff all had a treat to have these performances last week, so we know what you’re in for,” Connors told the crowd. “So sit back, relax, and enjoy. We’re very proud of all the hard work that has gone into preparing for this special night.”

Jones took the microphone next and thanked everyone for being there that night. She said music is always more special when it is shared with people we love and that this winter chorus concert was no exception.

With that, Jones said the audience would see “how a decision for a snow day really happens.” She then welcomed the Snow Day Decision Committee to the stage, which consisted of fourth graders Gregory Giorgio, Philomena Grossman, and James Pfalzgraf, who stood behind a large podium with their committee’s name on it.

They said their job is to examine the evidence and decide the most important question of all: will there be a snow day?

The “investigation” began with the chorus singing “Ready, Set, Snow,” a cheerful, silly song about the start of wintertime. As students danced along to the number’s upbeat piano and sleigh bells, they sung about wanting one, two, or even three feet of snow to fall and cancel school the next day.

The Snow Day Decision Committee had the honor of introducing each song throughout the concert, framing it as “new evidence in their investigation.” Since the committee members smelled winter in the air, the Middle Gate Singers sung the aptly named “Winter’s in the Air” next.

This infectious little number had the chorus sing about the “nice and icy cold” weather. Many students had a big smile on their face as pretended to bundle up, while audiences tapped their feet along to the catchy beat.

The soft, gentle piano of “Snow is Falling” filled the auditorium afterwards. The chorus showed off their harmonies throughout the number as they sung about shining snow drifting through the frosty air.

After that, things picked up with “Winter Magic,” a jazzy song about the beauty of winter. The Middle Gate Singers matched the energy of the song’s lively, dramatic trumpets, scatting to the chorus and waving their jazz hands for a big finish.

The Snow Day Decision Committee returned and said it was a snow day after all. The news was so exciting, they said, that even the snowmen were celebrating.

The chorus went into their last number, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Snowman,” an upbeat rock song about a snowman who wants to be a star and play his “snow guitar.” The Middle Gate Singers brought out their best moves for this song, with everyone absolutely shredding it on their air guitars.

Fourth grader Parker Telvi came out dressed as the titular “Rock ‘n’ Roll Snowman” himself, accompanied by fellow fourth graders Alice Betts and Cheyenne Lockwood who dressed up as snowflakes. As Telvi rocked out on his toy guitar, everyone else in the chorus pumped their fists in the air to cheer him on.

The crowd gave a big round of applause, cheering the chorus into performing their special encore number “Winter Fantasy,” a staple closing song for Middle Gate’s winter chorus concerts. This was yet another upbeat song about icy winds blowing through the air, interpolating lyrics from the classic Christmas song “Jingle Bells.” Jones, who joined the students on piano, matched the students’ enthusiasm as they sang and danced.

The song ended with all the students lifting their hands into the air, leading to yet another round of applause from the audience.

Connors returned to the stage, saying “all of this doesn’t happen without a lot of work and dedication” from Jones.

“This is what makes Middle Gate so special, all of us being here to support these students,” Connors continued. “From the families who are here today ... to [all the] staff members who are here as well ... thank you all for being here tonight.”

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Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.