The Chandler Oaks Elementary School Music Makers choir used its holiday concert themed “Holidays in Hollywood” as a book drive to benefit children who would be spending their holidays in the hospital.

The Music Makers collected five large boxes of books that were taken to the hospital by a third-grade choir member, Tessa Sage, and her family. The children at Dell Children’s Hospital were overjoyed to receive the books and members of the choir were excited to give back through music.

“Music Makers to me is having a fun time, learning and singing, and a chance to express creativity,” said Chandler Oaks fifth grader Lola AhSang. “It’s important to give back to the community to make people happy, bring them joy, show kindness to others, and be thankful for what you have.”

The Music Maker Club consists of 112 students who meet after school once a week to practice. The club is led by Chandler Oaks Music Teacher, Tori Blackwell.

“Doing Music Makers with our third through fifth-grade students at Chandler Oaks brings so much joy to my job,” Blackwell said. “I have the opportunity to meet once a week with 112 of the most committed, respectful, responsible and fun students around. Our motto is ‘sing good, be great,’ and these singing cheetahs exemplify it in every rehearsal and performance that we do.”

Blackwell said that her goal with students is to teach them not just to be good musicians, but to be good leaders in school and the community. Through the annual holiday benefit concert for Dell Children’s Hospital, they can accomplish both.

The Music Makers plan to continue the tradition of giving back every year at their holiday concert.