Young children squirmed, fussed and fiddled with their clothing onstage as choir directors tried to keep them focused on singing about the holiday season.

The Southern Illinois Children’s Choir performed its holiday concert, titled “Child of Light,” Saturday afternoon at Shryock Auditorium. The concert is one of two annual performances given by the choir each year.

The SICC is a community-based children’s choir open to children from age four through grade nine.

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Presented by the SIUC School of Music, the performance featured four singing groups organized by age and skill level, said the conductor, Stephanie Hanson. Hanson, who primarily works with the younger children, said she has fun working with them.

“The children were enthusiastic and did very well,” Hanson said.

The two annual concerts are performed by all groups of the choir, Hanson said, but the older children perform more throughout the year.

Choir director Alice Berry said all the kids sang enthusiastically and did a great job at the concert.

“We have so many talented young people,” Berry said. “I’m so extremely proud of their performance.”

Berry said the children always achieve the goals she sets for them. They learn to feel the music, she said.

Cathy Biggs, a Carbondale resident, came to the holiday performance to see a family friend sing with the choir. Biggs said the performance was delightful.

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“It was warmer than the football game,” Biggs said. “Plus, the little ones are entertaining.”

The performance concluded with songs of children creating a better future. Berry said that’s exactly what these children are doing.

The song, “We are the Children of Tomorrow,” received a standing ovation from the audience.

“These young people are making a difference and I applaud them,” Berry said.

Madeleine Leroux can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 254 or [email protected].