ST. PAUL – It was a full house during a Christmas concert held at Portage College this weekend.
Students from the North Eastern Music Association (NEMA) played a Christmas concert at the Portage College in St. Paul on Dec. 11 before a crowd of families.
NEMA is a non-profit organization providing voice instruction, as well as instruction in violin and guitar. Founded in 1986, the organization has been providing music instruction to St. Paul and the surrounding area.
In addition to bringing Christmas cheer to community members, the Christmas concert was also an opportunity to have the students’ families “come out to listen to their kids,” said Jessica VanBrabant, vice-president of NEMA.
“We find that it works so good for the community to come out and to watch as well, and that there is no price that they need to pay,” said VanBrabant.
Sophie Sundt, president of NEMA added, “We want to encourage as much family to come support the individual students."
Around 21 families came out to watch the 31 students who performed at the concert, according to Sundt, which was a pleasant surprise. Sundt said 150 chairs were set up, “and we had to take a few more out.”
“I feel like every concert, we’re getting bigger and bigger,” said Sundt.
VanBrabant agreed, adding the amount of people in the audience was “double from last year,” yet it was about the same amount of students who performed.
Sundt and VanBrabant concluded by thanking all those who came out to offer their support.
