Fort Scott High School Select Ensemble entertained guests of Community Christian Church’s annual Christmas luncheon December 11.
The ensemble is under the direction of Meredith Reid, music instructor at FSHS, and is accompanied on piano by Pat Harry, a retired music teacher.
“Mrs. Harry is the former FSHS choir director who built up the choir to immense proportion,” Reid said.
Eighteen students from sophomore to seniors were selected for this group of 18 members
The performance at the church is leading up to the music department’s big fundraiser for the year this Sunday at 3 p.m. at the high school. Money raised goes to purchase music, outfits, travel, and clinicians, Reid said.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students k-12 grade, and there will be refreshments following.
The school auditorium will be decorated by Ellen Kendrick’s art students.
Reid’s dad, Dan Duling, will be performing also during the fundraiser Sunday afternoon. He is in a band called Stone Country that includes Shana Lynette Stone, Rick Duling, Jason Richison and Jeff Culver.
“My dad’s band is doing this for free,” Reid said.
Reid said the student singers love to perform and she sees going out to the public as a way to give back to the community.
In addition, “The kids love getting out of class and today they get to eat,” Reid said with a smile.
The church provided a lunch of soups, sandwiches, appetizers, desserts, and drinks to the students and members of their congregation and invited guests.
A Christmas luncheon is an annual event where the church staff provides food for the congregation.
Members of the staff are Pastor Dusty Drake, Children’s Minister Paul Martin, Youth Pastor Ian Johnson, Pastoral Care and Women’s Minister Marcy Reynolds, and church secretaries Jamie Beckham and Jennifer Addington.