Nativity Hosts Live Manger Scene and Winter Concert

Students from treated travelers along Street Road to a live manger scene Thursday night, complete with a real baby and animals. A sizable crowd gathered to take in the scene as children got a chance to interact with the livestock, provided by What-Knott farm in Perkiomenville, including goats, sheep and a donkey.

The hour-long display was an appetizer for the evening's main event of a winter concert that featured the entire student body. Each grade took the stage at Archbishop Wood and sang familiar favorites, including "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "Jingle Bells." After the chorus, the Nativity String and Wind Ensembles played several Christmas selections for the standing room only audience.

It was the perfect showcase for Dan Myers to tout his efforts to expand the school's performing arts department. Starting last year, he has established Nativity's instrumental band and watched it grow. This year, Myers and Ashley Bontempo have added a theater segment to the department.

"When we sent out the invites, 46 kids showed up wanting to join," said Myers, who also teaches at Music and Arts Center. "We were totally surprised at how much interest there was."

The cast and crew are preparing for the upcoming production of Doo Wop Wed Widing Hood, set to premiere on the Nativity stage at the end of January. Meanwhile, Myers continues to keep his music students sharp, scheduling lessons during school and exploring the possibility of adding after school sessions.

Once a week, he gets some help from Marquis Dare, a 15-year music veteran and Los Angeles native who moved out to the East Coast last year. Even though he has shared the stage with the likes of Prince, Janet Jackson and Brian McKnight, Dare has found a lot of fulfillment working with budding artists.

"It's awesome," said Dare, behind the stage after leading the string ensemble through Little Drummer Boy. "It's one of the best musical experiences I've had."