Rankin Inlet (Dec 24/03) - It was time for the community's younger kids to show their talents in Rankin Inlet on Dec. 13, when Leo Ussak elementary school presented its annual Christmas concert.

And, while the event is always highly anticipated within the community, this year's crowd surpassed all expectations, filling the gym at Maani Ulujuk middle school (MUI) almost to capacity.

The 2003 Leo Ussak Christmas Concert was entitled Cooking up Christmas.

More than 300 students from kindergarten to Grade 4 took part in this year's show.

Classes at the school were paired up for the concert, with each group performing one skit or musical selection.

Leo Ussak co-principal Sarah Ayaruak says both students and staff were surprised by the large number of people who turned up to see the show.

"It was really a large crowd," says Ayaruak with a laugh.

"It kind of took me a little bit by surprise because I didn't expect to see so many people when we walked out onto the stage."

Ayaruak says the students always get quite excited in the weeks leading up to the big show.

"Some of the students are a little shy, but you know there's always going to be some shy kids.

"But they all look forward to the concert and being seen by all their friends and families."

The school has a six-member committee which selects the theme for the Christmas concert, organizes the show and gives each of the teachers a list of the songs their groups will be performing.

Ayaruak says the students put in a lot of practice time at the school during the final two weeks leading up to the show.

She says during the actual week of the concert, the kids were given a chance to rehearse on the stage at MUI.

"That approach seems to work well for us because it also gives the students a bit of a break from their school work when they practise for the concert.

"Being involved in the show gets most of the kids into the Christmas spirit before they leave the school for their holidays."