The spring concert on 5/15 was quite a success. The freshmen played well, and their performance of Paper Cut was very well received. It featured the students "playing" sheets of paper (crumpling, tearing, tapping, snapping) along to a pre-recorded electronic music track. Halfway through the piece, they picked up their instruments and joined their acoustic sounds with the electronic. Although in retrospect, the balance was off between the two, it was a great experience in more modern, non-traditional music making. I will definitely perform the piece again in the future.
Symphonic Band played particularly well, especially on Overture in B-flat by Giovannini. This is an old "warhorse" of the school band literature, and it features a great, technical low reed soli that was anchored by baritone saxophonist Tyler Vajdic. Tyler was voted "Outstanding SB Member" by his peers for his musicianship and leadership over the year. Well deserved, I might add.
The Wind Ensemble played a "louder, higher, faster" work called Rush, by Samuel Hazo, a completely contrasting quiet work by Copland, and two movements from the Suite of Old American Dances by Robert Russell Bennett. The highlight, however, was the senior trumpet trio of Avery DeMaria, Zack Berman, and Eric Vanderhulst playing Leroy Anderson's Bugler's Holiday. This piece has been performed the world over, and it's considered a classic. The boys did a wonderful job and deserved every bit of the ovation they received.
The night finished with the Jazz Band bringing down the house on Chick Corea's "La Fiesta," a flamenco/jazz tune that uses the "Spanish phrygian" scale (E F G G# A B C D E). At the end, we held out a loud, high note with the drums crashing away--an ending we devised to maximize the audience response. A bit cheesy on my part, but it's a great way to close the year.
Later that week, we had our traditional Band Awards Dinner, the social event of the season. As always, we celebrated our successes, honored our seniors, "passed the mace" to the new drum majors, and announced section leaders and officers for the following year. The seniors presented me with a brand-new conductor's stand that won't sink down and has plenty of room for all of my scores and various papers. The freshmen gave their senior advisors group pictures that they had all signed. It was a night of laughter and a few tears that was enjoyed by the 300+ in attendance.
People have been asking me, "So, is your year winding down?" Not really. On Monday, we'll participate in the Deerfield Memorial Day Parade. As of today, the forecast is for a high of 91 degrees. Typical, at least in my experience. We either swelter or get washed out, but I will never miss an opportunity to help our American Legion Post No. 738 as they keep the memories alive of those who gave their lives to secure our freedoms.
The next day, we'll continue our biennial tradition of performing at Ravinia for graduation. It's always a kick to play on the same stage that is usually graced by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and so many other legendary performers. By contrast, it will probably be 50 degrees on stage that close to the lake, and we'll be freezing!
But wait, there's more! The new Jazz Band members will play in the front hall before school on the last day next Friday, and the following week, the old jazzers will play a corporate gig at Discover Financial Services in Riverwoods. During finals, I also have the pleasure of hearing all of our incoming freshmen play for me individually. Then, and only then, will my year wind down, as I start a summer of re-energizing and planning for the fall.
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