Behind the Scenes of the S.T.R.E.A.M. Christmas Program

The set in the Redeemer Activity Center (RAC) is illuminated, student voices are warmed up and the art is on display. All the S.T.R.E.A.M. Christmas Program needs now are the parents to enjoy the show. Months of preparation by students and faculty go into organizing this school-wide program every year and students are eager to share this prayerful experience with the Christ the Redeemer Catholic School (CtRCS) community.

“Believe it or not, the students start preparing on the first day of school,” said Music Teacher Mary Ann Addis. “We wanted the students to know that their gifts are not merely for them and them alone, but to be shared and applauded by others. A simple skill of drawing or identifying a note has a greater purpose - one is growing artistically and spiritually, and they are discovering new avenues within themselves.”

The directors, Art Teacher Gabrielle Bergeron, Theology Teacher Mark Dolce, and 3rd Grade Teacher and S.T.R.E.A.M. Coordinator Kelly Murphy, collaborated on how to showcase students' ideas, creativity and skills through charity, evangelization and love in the Christmas program. The songs and the theme focus on Jesus, the rock of our salvation.

“We prayerfully choose a theme that will not only fortify the message of preparing for the coming of Christ and His birth, but also utilize our current school year theme (R.O.C.K.) to further show God is our everything,” Addis said. “This year's Christmas Program theme ‘Jesus is the Rock of our faith’ fits perfectly during this time of Advent and Christmas. The Middle School Varsity Choir concludes the evening with a piece called ‘Child of God’ that further repeats the theme of Christ as our Rock!”

The students create an environment that puts on a show right when families enter the RAC. Pre-K through 5th grade have Christmas-themed artwork on display. The 6th through 8th grade students have their Houston Rodeo Art on display. Also, you’ll see 8th grade students working as "live artists." After your eyes take in all the artistry, your ears can enjoy a guitar ensemble group from the After-School Private Lessons program and a student playing a saxophone.

Addis believes that learning these types of performance skills carry over from a student’s musical education to other facets of their lives.

“The students learn how to be confident in front of a crowd,” she said. “They practice how to handle themselves on stage and continue their performance even when things don’t go as planned. These skills provide the students with confidence for other moments in their academic and social lives.”

The S.T.R.E.A.M. Christmas program is a celebration of our community as students display their artistic gifts.

“Parents receive the gift of their children's love through the video messages and the joy of seeing them do something creative and fruitful,” Addis said. “The faculty are reaffirmed of their love and dedication in teaching the whole child: mind, body, and spirit.”

In the preparing the music for the program Addis said true enlightenment comes from the words, and how those words are expressed musically, which in turn elevates the soul and deepens our love. 

“This Christmas Program emphasizes the true meaning of the Christmas celebration - the birth of Jesus who is our rock, our God incarnate,” she said. “By attending this program, families are reminded of this truth and children are learning it. The spiritual meaning of Christmas is enhanced by the spiritual readings, spiritual music, and the prayers.”

For more information about the Enrichment program at Christ the Redeemer, visit our website at ctrschool.com/enrichment.