Each December, elementary schools in Northbrook School District 28 hold winter-themed musical performances and art shows known as “Winter Sing.” This tradition, which has continued for decades, allows families and staff to come together and experience the music and artwork that students in grades 1-4 have prepared during the fall.
“I love having all of the families come in to view their children’s artwork and hear their performances,” said Greenbriar Music Teacher Jeremy Bartunek. “It’s such a lovely time of year where parents, grandparents, and their kids can all join together to experience winter-themed art and music.”
Preparation for these concerts begins months in advance. While Greenbriar, Meadowbrook, and Westmoor elementary schools follow a similar format, each school adds its own unique elements. At Greenbriar Elementary School, fifth-grade students take responsibility for lighting, sound, and backstage operations. Bartunek explained, “There are four iPads used to run each show, 28 different light cues, 30 lights, 48 tracks, five microphones, and one sound board.”
At Westmoor Elementary School, Music Teacher Abby Blair and Art Teacher Heather Havlicek integrate literacy and science into the event. This year’s theme focused on Arctic and Antarctic explorers. Students learned about animals from both regions through songs about cold weather activities and artwork featuring penguins. “It’s a fun way to dig deeper into what we are already learning in school,” Blair said.
Meadowbrook Elementary School maintains a tradition where third- and fourth-grade students sing “Hot Cup of Cocoa” by the von Trapp Family. Meadowbrook Music Teacher Kathryn Finch stated that this song has been part of the program for at least three decades. “I love listening to children sing and laugh,” Finch said. “It is such a joyful experience.”
The annual concerts highlight student creativity across the district’s schools—Greenbriar Elementary School, Meadowbrook Elementary School, Northbrook Junior High School, and Westmoor Elementary School—all represented within Northbrook School District 28 (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The district employs 182 teachers with an average salary of $85,866; most are women (84.4 percent), according to state data (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The student population is primarily White (77 percent), with smaller percentages identifying as Asian (13.4 percent), Hispanic (3.9 percent), or Black (0.9 percent) (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In 2020, per-student spending was $34,963 out of a total budget of $64 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).
According to organizers, these events reflect District 28’s mission to empower every learner through music and art.
