By Amanda Raymond
amanda.raymond@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY – The Salvation Army kettle at Old Navy had more than a bell to draw people in on Thursday.

A group from the West Rowan High School Band played a mini Christmas concert outside of Old Navy, at 385 Faith Road, to help the Salvation Army of Rowan County’s Red Kettle Campaign.

This is the sixth year the band has volunteered to play to help the campaign. The group of about 10 current and former students set up chairs and music stands on the sidewalk in front of Old Navy and played “Silent Night,” “Go Tell it on the Mountain” “Frosty the Snowman” and “Joy to the World” while wearing Santa hats.

The students played the songs multiple times in the hour they spent outside of Old Navy, but each time the group sounded better.

Shoppers walked in and out of Old Navy and surrounding stores, some pausing to listen to the band’s melodies and many donating a couple of dollars or spare change.

Thursday may have been the perfect day for an outdoor Christmas concert. The sky was a clear blue and the temperature was about 58 degrees while the students were playing.

Captain Bobby Carr, corps officer for the Salvation Army, said the band usually draws a crowd and encourages people to donate to the campaign.

Carr said many young people do not have money to donate, but the fact that they are donating their time and talents is inspiring. Thursday was also the first day of winter break for students.

“It’s a good example for everybody in the community,” he said.

Cassidy Nooner, the band’s organizational leader, started the program while she was a student at West Rowan. She’s now at Appalachian State University majoring in music.

She said she got the idea from her middle school band director.

Nooner said she hopes to expand the event and add more bands and locations.

“It’s a lot of fun,” she said.

Cassidy’s sister Camryn, a junior at West Rowan, leads the band when Cassidy can’t be there.

Camryn said the Salvation Army does a lot for the community and the concert is a way for her to help the organization.

“It’s a good way to give back to the community,” she said.

Chase Webb, a sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, said he felt the same way.

“It’s a better way to bring attention to the Salvation Army,” he said.

Emma Eremie, a senior at West Rowan, said it feels good to see how much the children enjoy the songs and she and the other students have fun performing as well.

“It just makes your heart warm,” she said.

Contact reporter Amanda Raymond at 704-797-4222.