Meadows Schools Spring Concert

“Of all the towns in Idaho, New Meadows is the best! Come and have some fun with us Way out here in the West!” Fourth graders sang this proudly at the Meadows Valley School Spring concert on Wednesday, May 13. The class wrote this song, sung to the tune of “Oh Susanna,” with Gary Eller from the Idaho Songs Project and teacher Sally Carpenter. The song references happy days of hunting, fishing, enjoying the lakes, biking, and rural pleasures like stargazing. The sixth grade guitar class wrote a fifth verse to the song which continues the theme of outdoor adventure and hometown pride.

Kindergartners charmed the crowd with their singing and dancing led by music teacher Kimberly Dalrymple. First and Second grade played recorders and sang classic songs and sixth graders showed off their progress in guitar and offered a sing along opportunity supported by teacher Bart Carpenter. Dalrymple explained that she gave song choice suggestions to the older students and they were also able to submit song requests.

There were some standout solos and duets during the night including one that left many an eye wet with tears. Third graders Graham Gardner and Fisher Gerke sang “Soldier This Song I Sing For You,” and dedicated it to Gardner’s mom and Gerke’s dad, who were in the Navy and Air Force respectively. Fifth graders rounded out the night with energy and style as they sang “The Champion,” including a rap solo by Archer Gerke, “God Bless the USA” and closed the concert out with a solo performance of “Unstoppable” sung by Emmalynne Cochran.