MT School for the Deaf & Blind hosts annual Christmas concert

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MT School for the Deaf & Blind hosts annual Christmas concert | KRTV.com | Great Falls, Montana

The Montana School for the Deaf & Blind in Great Falls hosted their annual "Expressions of Silence" Christmas concert and fundraiser on Sunday afternoon.

The performance featured 16 holiday classics like "Silent Night" and "Winter Wonderland," and even took on a pop-culture twist, featuring songs from current artists like Taylor Swift and the TV show "Glee" cast's version of songs.

The $5 admission fee went toward paying for equipment, uniforms, and travel expenses of the group.

Click the arrow on the image above to watch them perform one of their songs.

From the MSDB website:

Expressions of Silence is a popular performing group of students who are great ambassadors for MSDB. The group uses sign language and dance to interpret recorded music for their audiences.

The group provides students with a wonderful opportunity to build their self-esteem and to use their own language to communicate to a broader public. They have traveled as far as Salt Lake City and Washington DC, and performed with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Oak Ridge Boys.

 

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Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind students show music through sight

Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind students show music through sight | Great Falls Tribune | greatfallstribune.com

The lack of clapping as kids finished each of their Christmas-themed songs in the gym at Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind on Sunday afternoon wasn't considered a rude gesture.

Instead, as students from the school's Expressions of Silence choir finished performing and signing to one popular song after another, hands did indeed go in the air — but the fingers waved wildly to sign what the hearing world considers applause.

The choir is made up primarily of students who are hard of hearing or deaf and co-choir director Dessica Wilson said these kids practice throughout the school year once or twice a week for one to two hours at a time — learning not only how to properly sign the words to "Winter Wonderland" but also learning how to throw some dance steps and charm into the bit.

"They work hard, but they get out and have fun," Wilson said.

The students travel across the state throughout the year and perform for a variety of groups.

Wilson said everyone benefits from "hearing" and seeing music performed in a different way.

"I think it builds their individual confidence as well as teaching them to work with a team," she said.

This is 14-year-old Sarah Stackhouse's first year performing with the Expressions of Silence and already, she's discovered how much she loves the music and getting to travel with her friends.

But it's more than that.

"It makes me feel I'm proud of myself," she said. "It's fun. We do fun things together."