Tara Elementary School fifth graders perform 'Snow Jubilee!'

Fifth graders perform an interpretation of "Snow, What Fun!" using music teacher's original compositions.

By Liz Ramos
| 7:25 p.m. December 8, 2022

Javier Torres, a fifth grader dressed as Santa, wishes everyone a Merry Christmas.

East County
Schools

Dressed as snowmen, Tara Elementary School fifth graders danced and sang their way across the stage Dec. 8 during a special event called "Snow Jubilee."

"I told the kids we were going to jump into a book, make the book come to life and have a snowy adventure," said Barbara Siffermann, the school's music teacher who created the musical portion of the event with her friend, Zadda Bazzi, who since has moved to North Carolina to teach music.

Siffermann said she and Bazzi started writing the songs after receiving their Orff certification, which is a specific approach to music education developed in the 1920s. She said the approach teaches students music through movement, body percussion, singing, instruments and literature.

"We decided there wasn't enough shows that were written for the style that we like to teach," Siffermann said. "All the time in our classes we take a book, the children act it out, we add sound effects and we have singing and instrument parts."

For "Snow Jubilee!," students acted out their interpretation of the book "Snow, What Fun!"

Dexter Trombetta, a fifth grader, is excited to see Santa arriving at Tara Elementary School.

Samuel Moya, a fifth grader, puts all his energy into being a snowman in the play. He's guiding Santa's sleigh to a safe landing.

Jaylin Strong, a fifth grader, drums and sings along.

Eli Lopez, a fifth grader, rocks out on his candy cane.

Tara Elementary School fifth graders perform "Snow Jubilee," a play based on the students' interpretation of the book "Snow, What Fun!"

Liana Sienkiewicz, a fifth grader, is focused while playing the xylophone.

Nathan Pham, a fifth grader dressed as a cowboy snowman, celebrates the holiday season.

Fifth graders Connor Winchell, Kaylani Roney and Raylin Hagood strike a pose at the end of a song.

Fifth graders RJ Griffis and Kaitlyn Do act confused during the play.

Connor Alfonso, a fifth grader, provides the beat to a song.

Mia Turasz, a fifth grader, sings and dances along with the other fifth graders dressed as snowmen.

author

Liz Ramos

Managing Editor Liz Ramos previously covered education and community for the East County Observer. Before moving to Florida, Liz was an education reporter for the Lynchburg News & Advance in Virginia for two years after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism.