Post-Concert

Well, the Spring Concert is in the books and it was a very successful evening. The Concert Band did a nice job, particularly with Forest Pines Overture, a rhythmically challenging work with mixed meters. The Symphonic Band had a varied program, including Morton Gould's jazzy "Pavanne" from Symphonette #2. Christian Hoogheem really nailed his solo trumpet feature. Pilgrim Traveler, a fantasia on 19th-century American shape note hymns, was another highlight with good balance, blend, and time and excellent solo work on tenor sax by Zach Weil.

The Wind Ensemble performed a very challenging work by Warren Benson, entitled The Solitary Dancer, which required playing in extreme ranges, tricky counting, and singing. The band probably played their best version yet at the concert. The medley from Porgy and Bess closed their portion of the concert with bluesy, extroverted solos by Logan Bloom, Nick Fox, and Joey Rosin, as well as a lyrical duet by Rahm Silverglade and Emma Martin.

The Jazz Band, as is tradition, closed the concert with some Mingus and some soul jazz. The final number, Jaco Pastorius' "Soul Intro/The Chicken," brought down the house with the high energy gospel and funk stylings. An unidentified sax player joined the band, filling in for an injured student, and by all accounts, he did all right.

Now the bands are moving into end-of-the-year activities. The freshmen will be finishing their Latin American music unit by heading off to Brazil (figuratively speaking) to study samba music. The Symphonic Band is creating mini quintet arrangements of the hymnsong "Traveler," and most of the Wind Ensemble is rehearsing graduation music with the orchestra. The new Jazz Band members are preparing for a front hall gig on the last day of school. Even though the concert is over, there's still lots to do in R-hall--the fun never ends!