Seven hundred and twenty-eight days after they last set foot onstage in Orthwein Theater, our Middle and Upper School band students were elated to bring their annual winter concerts back to a live audience.
Under the direction of the Middle and Upper School Instrumental Music Instructor Josh Baumgartner, the 6th and 7th Grade Beginning Band kicked off their concert with renditions of #25 Jingle Bells, #31 Dreydl, Dreydl, and Dragonfire. The 7th Grade Advanced Band, who gained most of their experience through online instruction last year, performed #32 Chorale, #48 Chorale, and Presto!
After a short break for an audience changeover, Middle and Upper School Band Director Becky Long welcomed the 8th Grade Band onstage. They performed Bb Major Scale, Chorale #25-26, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, and Drive, before combining briefly with the Upper School Pep Band for the MICDS Rally Song. The young musicians then made way for the Upper School Band, who performed some Pep Band classics as selected by Juniors and Seniors, and All of Me with the MICDS Jazz Band. Finally, the band performed the holiday favorites Sleigh Ride and Deep Winter’s Night to close the show.
Long remarked, “These students are so impressive in their growth as musicians, especially considering we only had one rehearsal with all five groups for this performance.” Download the complete concert program to see the list of student musicians and song selections, and enjoy the videos below of each concert performance.
Bravo to the Middle School and Upper School bands for a delightful evening of musical enjoyment!