The Conservatory of the Ozarks is described by Director Heather Leverich as “a fine-arts school in Springfield,” offering instruction for all ages in music, art, drama and dance, but “most of what we do is music—private lessons.” COTO will present their annual Christmas Variety and Talent Show Saturday December 13th at 6:00pm in Clara Thompson Hall at Drury University.
COTO faculty and some 40 students will perform. Some years they have opened up the talent contest to the public, but this year Leverich says all performers will be from the school itself. They’re promising “family-friendly entertainment” during this two-hour show; when asked what kind of entertainment will be offered, Leverich insists it will be “Christmas entertainment! A variety of genres, but all Christmas-themed.”
Performers’ ages range from the “Little Mozarts” choir, with about 15 children as young as age 2 or 3—“it’s adorable!” she says (a definite “Awwww!” moment can be expected when they perform!)—to adult students and faculty.
Every year the audience helps select their favorite act by voting for the “People’s Choice Award,” the winner of which will get to perform their act on KOLR-10’s “Ozarks Live” program Monday Dec.15 at 4:00pm. Voting for the “People’s Choice” award costs $1.00 for each vote—“no limits on how many votes you’re allowed to make!” says Heather Leverich. The money raised will go toward the purchase of a portable sound system for COTO to use when they do their numerous annual community performances in schools and other venues.
In addition to Christmas-themed entertainment, Christmas cookies and hot chocolate prepared and donated by local bakers will be featured in a dessert reception following the performance, which should end around 8:00pm... and that includes “hundreds of cookies” baked by Heather Leverich’s mom. And yes, that includes her popular candy cane-shaped peppermint cookies. “There was a large outcry” when she said she might not make them this year... but Heather says “they will be there!”
For more information call Conservatory of the Ozarks at 592-1756 or email conservatoryoftheozarks@gmail.com. Current information appears on their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/cotoMusicArtDrama.