‘Sounds of the Season’ concerts take over MetroLink stations

As the train crawled into the station, band director Jordin Gouge signaled her small semi-circle of Shiloh Middle School students to hold at attention until the doors opened. As passengers exited, “Frosty the Snowman” filled the otherwise quiet MetroLink Station.

For six years, MetroLink has been engaging with both customers and their community by providing free concerts they call the “Sounds of the Season.” Local schools participate by greeting passengers at various stops through the month of December with Christmas classics such as “Jingle Bells,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Deck the Halls.”

“Every year, we try to brighten up the holiday season for our passengers,” said Patti Beck, director of Communications for Bi-State Development. “As they are hustling and bustling back and forth from work, or visiting family or whatever they may be doing, we like to bring them a bit of holiday cheer.”

In the past, MetroLink and The St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission joined together to decorate a train, aptly named the Holiday Magic Train, and perform the music live in between the aisles through December.

That partnership was not finalized this year, but MetroLink didn’t want to leave their customers without any live music. The tradition was moved to the station platforms to treat riders as they depart or wait for their trains. The 5 p.m. start time was picked for both its peak riding hours and available to students who are in school all day.

“We’re all busy, running here and there for the holidays,” Beck said. “We understand that people don’t have a long time to stop and listen, but this is something that if they are heading to work or school, it’s good to hear the sounds of the season live for just a few minutes and put a smile on their face.”

Gouge, who has been the band director as Shiloh Middle School for three years, said she was just as excited this year when MetroLink invited them back to the tradition. She thinks it’s valuable for both MetroLink and the school’s exposure but cherishes the value it brings to the community.

“Everyone is very busy this time of year, I’m not sure they have time to stop and hear a whole concert,” Gouge said. “But lots of people stop by and smile and thank us. It seems to be well received.”

Packed with family, teachers, fellow students, neighbors and grandparents, the event has received very warm reception from everyone involved. Passengers are likely to praise the musicians and directors hard work and the students are excited to perform.

“It’s not your traditional venue,” Beck said. “It’s very fluid. There’s not a real audience. People who do hear the concerts will sometimes thank the kids and the director, who really appreciate that. It’s a real win-win.”

The conception of these productions started off to showcase musical talent from the nearby schools. MetroLink wanted to engage with their community and “literally picked up a phone and asked if they have a choir or a woodwind or a jazz band who wants to perform.”

This year, Shiloh Middle School played two shows while Bayless High School was asked to provide the music for MetroLink's nine additional station concerts on the Missouri side, for a total of 11.

Participating in both of Shiloh’s sessions this year — and the one last year — clarinetist Ashleigh Farmer, 13, said she wasn’t nervous to play for the shifting crowd of people. She credited her faithful band director and her eagerness to spread some cheer this holiday season.

“We get to brighten people’s day up with carols of the Christmas season,” Farmer said. “They might be strangers, but we’re all friends and family during the holiday season.”

This story was originally published December 18, 2015 at 10:21 AM with the headline "‘Sounds of the Season’ concerts take over MetroLink stations."