NEDERLAND - The students from Nederland and Jamestown Elementary Schools came together and filled the Nederland Elementary School (NES) gymnasium with music that had orinally been produced at the Caribou Ranch Recording Studio outside of Nederland. 

Music teacher Kirk Kubicek said of Caribou Ranch Studios, “It is one of our greatest musical legacies in the Peak to Peak, and there were so many amazing people who were involved with making all the incredible albums that were worked on there.” 

 He added, “This story needs to be told through the voices of our children.”

The fifth grade band and orchestra opened up the evening of music with “We Will Rock You,” to get the audience in the rock and roll mood. The musicians were directed by Christine Mallery. 

The fifth graders were in character to tell the history of each song before it was performed by each class. The dialogue was lively, entertaining, and informative. 

The first song, Carole King’s “Simple Things,” was performed by all students.

Following the first vocal number, the NES Kindergarten students and Jamestown Elementary students sang “Today’s the Day,” originally recorded by the British-American rock band America. 

Then the first grade class took the stage to sing “Old Days” by Chicago. This performance, like all the others, included choreography that each class had been practicing for weeks. 

The second graders presented a number from the British rock band Supertramp, “Give a Little Bit.” And, yes, Supertramp did drag a piano up a mountain at Eldora Resort to take a photo for the album cover. 

The fifth grade band and orchestra took out their instruments again and played a little “Smooth Criminal” and “Thriller” by Michael Jackson, “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, and “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple. 

The gymnasium then got loud with heavy metal band Dio’s “Mystery,” interpreted by the third graders. 

Afterward, the music slowed down, remembering Dan Fogelberg and featuring the fourth grade class singing “Leader of the Band.” 

The fifth grade class then came to the stage, first singing “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” Elton John had recorded this song in 1974 at Caribou Ranch, with John Lennon on guitar and backing vocals. Several fifth graders were soloists. 

The fifth graders also presented “Shining Star” from the funk and soul band Earth, Wind & Fire. More fifth graders had solos during this song. 

Accompanying the students all evening was the Caribou Chronicles Band, made up from parents and community members Ryan Benthall, Andy Gaydos, Asher Hughes, Christine Mallery, Dave Solzberg, and Kajsa Teitelbaum. 

The final number, which included all the students, was Earth, Wind & Fire’s “That’s the Way of the World.” 

It was an evening full of historic and appealing music sung by Nederland and Jamestown youth that had been written and produced at the legendary Caribou Ranch Recording Studio. A narrative of a part of local history that should not be forgotten. 

As one of the fifth grade narrators said in closing, “Let us celebrate the spirit of Caribou Ranch and the artists who poured their hearts into every note. For Nederland the music will never stop!”