Pleasant Valley Elementary kicked off the holiday season with a Christmas tree lighting and choral performance on Wednesday night.

"The PVE tree lighting is an annual event, and this year we added our third-grade chorus," Principal Erica Greer said. "We have 60 children who are performing tonight, and we're very excited to bring all of the families together."The third-grade chorus, directed by kindergarten through third-grade music teacher Amy Hafferty and paraprofessional Desiree Murray, put on a show with five jazzy, swingin' holiday tunes. The kids had been practicing for the event since September, and the performance certainly reflected their hard effort."Everybody is very supportive of the program," Murray said. "They have a love of chorus and music that we have had over the years, so it's nice to see the music live on through the kids."Songs included "Rock the Holly," "Hanukkah is Here," "Better Bundle Up," "There's Someone in the Chimney" - which featured chorus member Liam Angell running through the crowd dressed as Santa Claus - and "We Wish You a Swingin' Holiday.""For a lot of the kids who are looking for something, especially music-wise, it's hard when they're only 8 years old. There's not a lot of things going on, so to be able to start the chorus was amazing. Just to express themselves, and to have a place to be a family together, to be able to create together, it's an awesome opportunity for them," Hafferty said.Chorus member Maisie Weeks, 8, had a great time at the event, particularly enjoying "There's Someone in the Chimney" and "We Wish You a Swingin' Holiday.""It's a great opportunity to sing if that's what you really like, and I really like doing chorus," Weeks said. "It was fun. I wasn't that nervous with my friends. There's lots of people there, but my friends were there, so I feel comfy."Gianna Cappolella, 8, was also thrilled to perform, saying that she enjoys chorus because of the opportunity to hang out with friends and sing. Her favorite tune on the program was "Better Bundle Up.""Because I like the steady beat to it," Cappolella said."I think it's great that the Pleasant Valley School District has a chorus, and it was a great opportunity for the community to come together celebrate the holidays," said Bruce Serino, who attended with his daughter Sophia, 6. "The chorus was great."Following the performance, everyone headed outside to count down the tree lighting.After some "Jingle Bells," the lights were lit and the tree was crowded with kids and parents getting pictures and adding their own little ornaments."This is one of the highlights of the school year," Greer said of the festive evening, which entertained hundreds of parents, teachers and children.