IT'S A WONDERFUL time of year for concerts.
River Hill High School's Winter Concert will be held at 7: 30 p.m. Friday in the school's auditorium.
A second production, under the direction of music director Steve Wampler, is scheduled for Tuesday.
In the spirit of the season, Wampler suggests that anyone with spare musical instruments or stereo components -- receivers, amplifiers or speakers -- donate them to the music department, where they will be put to good use.
Attic clutter can be converted into a tax deduction by following Wampler's advice.
Glenelg High School will hold its Winter Concert -- featuring the Symphonic Band, Madrigals, Choir and Orchestra -- at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the school auditorium.
The event is always a sellout, so call for tickets soon.
Information: contact a member of the Glenelg band or choir, or 410-313-5528.
Musical students
Congratulations to Glenelg High School students who have been invited to participate Feb. 18-21 in the 1999 All-State and All-Eastern Music Festivals in Baltimore.
Jon Durant, Mack Mackey and Jason Bostron were named to the All-State Junior Band.
Participating in the All-State Junior Chorus are Matt Anderson, Eddie Krumpotich and Siga Vaskys.
The Maryland Music Educator's Association named Beth Biersdorf, Kimi Mongello and Andrius Vaskys to the All-State Senior Band. Jon Gibson, Samantha Johnston and Rebecca Bostron were named to the All-State Senior Orchestra.
Elizabeth Beck, Gene Granger and Brian Rice were selected to perform in the All-State Senior Chorus.
Rice will also sing with the All- Eastern Chorus, and Johnston will play the string bass in the All-Eastern Orchestra.
Members of the Mount View Middle School Chorus are rehearsing for their Winter Concert, to be held in the dining room of the school at 7: 30 p.m. Wednesday.
Music at Lisbon
Parents, family and friends can enjoy a Holiday Concert presented by Lisbon Elementary School students Dec. 18 in the Glenelg High School auditorium.
The staff at Lisbon Elementary is talking about the wonderful dinner that volunteers from the PTA provided during parent-teacher conference night.
Parents made soups, breads, salads and pies.
Hospitality committee chairwomen Claire Ramirez and Wendy Honchel would like to thank volunteers for their efforts to create a wonderful evening for Lisbon teachers and staff.
Thanks go to Kathy Ahrens, Judy Bates, Kathy Bowring, Barb Caldwell, Paula Campanile, Connie Casto, Karen Condor, Kathi Corna, Mary Ann Cumberland, Linda Daigle, Amber Each, Natalie Evans, Sally Genry, Chris McComas, Diane Nagengast, Gail Reinking, Pat Strewig, Kathy Witty and Barbara and Mike Gruelich for hard work.
Children ages 2 to 5 can get into the spirit of the holidays at Lisbon Community Library.
The library will present "Let's Celebrate," a program of holiday stories and activities, at 10: 30 a.m. Monday.
Parents may register in person or by calling 410-489-4290.
Holiday crafts
One of our young contributors, Katherine Robinson, writes that Dayton 4-H Club is busy making handmade crafts for the holidays.
Drop by Kendall's Hardware Store in Clarksville to purchase an item Sunday or Monday, or stop by Triadelphia Day View Farm in Dayton any day this month.
Sailors ahoy
River Hill High School's new Sailing Team and Club competed in the Middle Atlantic Scholastic Sailing Association's Fall Championships last month at the Naval Academy.
Coached by Mike Breton -- parent of Dylan, Class of '99, and Matthew, Class of '01 -- River Hill was pitted against 16 teams in 14-foot dinghies.
The teams included powerhouses from Annapolis High School, Severn School, St. Mary's and Stony Brook, N.Y.
Dylan Breton, a past Junior Olympics qualifier, led his crew to third place in the most difficult A Division, two points behind Annapolis.
In an increasing breeze that eventually forced Navy to halt the competition, the crew's performance improved as the wind picked up.
It won the final race, in which some boats capsized.
Matt Breton sailed in B Division with his crew -- Tom Lather, a freshman rookie sailor -- earning River Hill ninth place overall in the first major regatta for the new team.
'Nutcracker on Ice'
More than 100 skaters will perform in the Columbia Figure Skating Club's holiday "Nutcracker on Ice" at 4: 45 p.m. and 6: 00 p.m. Saturday and Dec. 19 at Columbia Ice Rink on Thunder Hill Road.
Among them will be Glenelg residents Lauren and Stephanie Capps, and Kelsey, Jeff and Kendall Church.
Also appearing in the production will be Colleen and Sibyl Donohue of Marriottsville, Elicia Epperlein of Woodbine, Emily Hayes from Sykesville, and Rachel Hogue and Carrie Schoonover from Clarksville.
Also participating are Madison Howe of West Friendship, Allison Radoci of Mount Airy, and Rebecca, Hunter and Linda Jennings from Highland.
Distinguished scholars
Our hats are off to three Glenelg High School students who have been named Maryland Distinguished Scholars.
Sarah Placella is a finalist and Lynsey Caldwell and Monica D'Angelo are semifinalists.
Court of honor
