At Ethical Culture, no time of year captures the spirit of community building quite like the holidays. While the season brings excitement and a touch of chaos, it remains unforgettable for our students. They organize coat and food drives for those in need, decorate classrooms, complete culminating projects, prepare for assessments, and, of course, rehearse for the annual Holiday Assembly.
Planning for the Holiday Assembly starts far earlier than you’d think! By June of the previous academic year, 3rd–5th Grade Music Teacher Amy Travis is already setting the creative wheels in motion, carefully selecting songs for each grade level. She is mindful of each grade’s unique personality and interests and aims to select songs that inspire and challenge students in their music practice.
Central to students’ preparation are collaboration and inclusivity, core tenets at ECFS, which ensure that every note sung or played during the assembly reflects thoughtful intention, equity, and care. “I always enjoy collaborating with my music colleagues in planning the assembly — Angela Dixon in the past two years and David Gordon this year,” says Travis. “I learn so much from them, and I love how we help each other grow as musicians and teachers, challenging one another to see the program from different perspectives.”
In the fall, Travis and Gordon begin working with students during class to prepare them for the assembly. They consider students’ understanding of the music and support them as their confidence as performers grows. As the assembly approaches, students understand that it is more than just a show; it’s an important experience of teamwork, preparation, and the joy of a shared accomplishment.
From the youngest Pre–K performers joyfully singing “I’m a Little Snowflake” and the beats of the 2nd Graders’ “Play the Drum” to the 3rd Graders’ rendition of “Hotaru Koi,” a beautiful Japanese folk song, and the 5th Graders’ moving performance of “Hope is an Action,” each piece brought a unique flair. Woven throughout the program are community songs, during which all attendees, including students, faculty, staff, and parents/guardians, are encouraged to sing along. “I Lift My Voice” and the traditional Hebrew song “Hevénu Shalom Aléchem” were powerful moments that filled the auditorium with wishes of peace and harmony.
“My favorite moments were the excitement of all my students, the positive reaction from the audience, and the energetic performances of my Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd Grade students,” shares Gordon.
One of Travis’s most anticipated moments of the day is when the Faculty Chorus takes the stage. This year, a courageous and talented group of teachers sang “Canon of Hope,” a layered piece that reflected the season’s message of resilience and optimism.
“We have so much fun planning and rehearsing together, doing something completely different from what faculty normally do. The time we spend together is wonderful, but the bonus is seeing the students and families interact with the performance. I think it’s exciting for students to see their teachers take the same risk they do in the assembly — getting in front of an audience and making music,” explains Travis.
The assembly concludes on a much-anticipated high note: the cherished 5th Grade Santa hat toss during “12 Days of Christmas.” This joyful moment is a rite of passage for the oldest students in the room, symbolizing their journey through elementary school. As they toss their hats in celebration, they mark this milestone and look ahead to the second half of the year — a time for reflection on their years at Ethical Culture and excitement for their transition to Fieldston Middle.
What remains after the final applause isn’t just the memory of the assembly but the feeling of belonging, joy, and shared purpose the students created. “I think the students leave the assembly each year with a strong sense of community,” reflects Travis. “And that, more than anything, is the true gift of the Holiday Assembly. Nothing brings people together like making music, and I hope the students carry that with them as they grow.”
