WHITESTONE – The students of the grades 2-4 chorus of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Day School of Whitestone performed the kalanta directed by Music Teacher and Church Chanter Demetri Michael who accompanied the students on keyboards after the Divine Liturgy at the church on Dec. 18.

Michael started off the performance with Silent Night in the original German, then the children joined in with the English and Greek versions of the traditional Christmas carol. The students then sang Kalin Imeran Archontes (since the performance took place during the day), Hionia sto Kampanario, and the New Year’s carol concluded the wonderful performance.

Holy Cross Archimandrite and Dean Fr. Dionysios Anagnostopoulos thanked the children, noting how they kept up the Greek tradition by performing the kalanta and then passing around the karavaki, a tray for donations all of which will benefit the Day School’s Annual Fund.

The chorus included 2nd grade students Theodore Bournis, Alexandra Sakalis, Athena Thomatos, Ana Zannikos, and Nicole Zannikos; the 3rd grade students: Nia Arnone, Aristotele Ganiaris, and Elefteria Karam; and 4th grade students: Evan Kantlis, Gigi Kantlis, Irene Lado, Jimmy Skokos, Athena Skordas, Irene Thomatos, and Eleni Tsiouris. Also present at the event were the Head of School Theodore P. Kusulas, Effie Karalekas- Parish Council President, Dina Skokos- School Board Chair, Depsina Skordas- Day School PTA President, and Ellie Zhonga- Greek Teacher. The parishioners who attended the musical presentation joined in for the New Year’s carol and clapped enthusiastically for the students at the end of the performance with wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year for all.