Pipestone Flyer
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Vol 14, Issue 51 (Leduc-Wetaskiwin Pipestone Flyer)
Santa and his elves may have been hard at work recently but so was Mrs. Gusdal, Norwood School music director and the approximately 235 K through Gr.VI students at the school. They were preparing for the December 15th Christmas production – Santa You Got Mail. The School hosted two productions, one at 2:00 pm and a second at 7:00 pm in the school gymnasium.
Santa You Got Mail is an International Holiday celebration by John Jacobson and Kirby Shaw. As music teacher Mrs. Gusdal explained, “The entire school is involved as each of the Gr. I – VI classes have prepared an act for the play during the school’s music program. The acts are supported by the choir that practiced during noon hours. The students are having a lot of fun as the play incorporates dance, acting and young children always love to sign. They also enjoyed the cultural experience as Mr. Walker, the postman delivered parcels all over the world so the students learned more about countries such as Africa, Mexico and the Jewish and aboriginal cultures.”
The whole synopsis about this play is about Mr. Walker, a postman who is bummed out because he has to deliver packages throughout the world. The musical included many xylophones, a violin, a gathering drum, chimes, and of course a concert would not be complete without a choir. The production highlighted songs and celebrations of different cultures and countries with songs, dancing, a flashlight show and a cast of characters that told the story of an overworked postman covering the globe to reach all of these countries. A special feature of the play was the rendition of the Huron Carol, arranged by Mrs. Gusdal that was added to the musical.
Norwood School is located in the Garden Meadows subdivision in the City of Wetaskiwin. The community consists of diverse socio-economic groups most of whom live in owner occupied residences. Norwood School is very well-respected in the local community as an excellent learning facility.