The basement of the Multi Service Center was filled with the voices of young humans from the Minot Forest Elementary school merrily singing for the seniors of the Council on Aging Tuesday morning.

The chorus of 42 students performed selections from the school’s upcoming January concert, including ‘Jingle Bell Rock,’ and ‘Auld Lang Syne.’ The group was led by music teacher Russ Hart. Hart said he has been at Minot for two years, but had been at the John W. Decas Elementary school. Though it was the first time the Minot Forest students had performed for the council, Hart said, he had made it an annual tradition nine years ago with his students at the Decas school, when the school had still held grades kindergarten through fifth grade.

Hart said the details of how and why the tradition came about are a bit “foggy.”

“We ended up trying it once, as a little test run for the students, and it seemed to go very well, so it became a little tradition,” Hart said.

Hart said the music programs, including the band program he runs, happen before school. He is impressed with the dedication of the students, and their parents.

“The parents have to bring the students over – it’s not something where transportation is provided,” Hart said. “Parents have to bring them over, or the instruments, and pick them up at the end of the day. It’s nice to see it’s something everyone is a little vested in.”