Article published Dec 22, 2006 Excellent program from Culver Academies Nancy Menk, left, choir instructor at Saint Mary's College, works with music students during a visit to the Culver Academies. From left are Scott Clayton, Joshua Woolfolk, Celete Kato and Mary McDaniel. Photo provided MARY JO FINLEY Tribune Columnist The Culver Academies Music Department presented a delightful concert last week at the all-school meeting. Performing were the Regimental Buglers, Woodwind Choir, Choir, Orchestra, Flute Choir, Concert Band and Wind Ensemble. The Regimental Buglers, including trumpet player Matt Smart, of Plymouth, opened the program with "Good King Wenceslas." Woodwind Choir played "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." Local Woodwind Choir members are Kristi Smith, Anna Rich, Christine Burke, Kirsten Elliott, Karly Schmidt, Alexis Howard and Katherine Barnes. The choir sang "Winter Wonderland," "Still, Still, Still" and "Jina La Bwana (African Magnificat)." Impressive solos were sung by Lathelma Armstrong, Kim Danforth and Kara Teng.Local choir members are Nick Elizondo, Stacy Mattox and Mary McDaniel. The orchestra adeptly played "Blackberry Blossom," "Fantasia on a Theme from Thailand" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas," complete with a scrawny Charlie Brown Christmas tree. Local orchestra members are Christa Finley and Margaret Herbert. The flute choir, directed by Mary Lynch-Weirich who also played, walked on stage donning red and green elf hats and beautifully played "Pat-A-Pan" and "I Saw Three Ships." A local member is Kristi Smith. The wind ensemble did a great job of playing "Sleigh Ride," with David Weirich conducting. The clarinets were especially strong. Area members are Kristi Smith, Christine Burke, Colin Lasko, Matt Smart, Ryan Benczik, William Hargraves, Marvin Hargraves, Katherine Barnes and Kyle Howard.The concert band played "Jingle Bell Rock." Local members are Destiny Cooper, Anna Rich, Karly Schmidt, Nicolas Elizondo, Trace Thews, Jim Bradke, Ramsey Bradke and Michael Grover. Then the highlight of the concert came. The combined wind ensemble and concert band played "Morning Madness." It's a medley of fast-paced, frenzied familiar pieces, such as "William Tell Overture." The informal piece set the stage for the "Christmas Pop Sing-A-Long." A large screen descended in the newly remodeled Eppley Auditorium and computer- generated words with a bouncing ball and clever, entertaining graphics were projected. The students sang with gusto, and it was one of the most fun concerts I have ever attended.Bravo, Culver Academies and music faculty -- Bill Browne, Mary Lynch-Weirich, David Weirich, Stacey Warren and Chad Guard!