Middle and Upper School Band students showed their musical chops at the Spring Band Concert on May 6 in Orthwein Theatre. Each piece of music was introduced by a band student, who offered information and insight to ensure the audience got the most from the performance.
At 6 p.m., the Middle School Intro Band, Ram Band, Charger Band, and Concert Band kicked off the evening. Intro Band, conducted by Middle School Dean and Music Teacher Eric Taylor, played Turbo Rock by Michael Sweeney and Valkyrie by Matt Neufeld. Charger/Ram Band, conducted by Middle and Upper School Music Teacher Bernard Berry, played Alpha Squadron by Greg Hillis, A Builder’s Dream by Adrian B. Sims, and Armory by Randall D. Standridge.
Then the Concert Band took the stage, again conducted by Taylor. They played Amparito Roca by Jamie Texidor and arranged by Tyler Arcari, Lone, Wild Bird by William Walker, arranged by Brian Balmages, From the Start by Laufey and Spencer Steward and arranged by Michael Kamuf, and Byzantine Dances by Carol Britten Chambers.
Finally, to close the first half of the show, all Middle School bands came together under the baton of Taylor to perform The Tempest by Robert W. Smith.
In between sets, musicians, friends, and family gathered in Messing Gallery for a reception sponsored by Arts Boosters.
At 7:30 p.m., the Upper School Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band performed, conducted by Berry. The Symphonic band offered four pieces: Rough Riders March by Karl King and arranged by James Swearingen, Blessing Winds by Yukiko Nishimura, Sparks by Brian Balmages, and crowd favorite: Golden from KPOP Demon Hunters by Ejaem Mark Sonnenblick, Ido, 24, and Teddy Park, arranged by Paul Murtha.
The Wind Ensemble also performed four pieces: Galop Comique by Randall D. Standridge, Endless Rainbows by Brian Balmages, Seagate Overture by James Swearingen, and, from the eponymous Netflix show, Wednesday, by Danny Elfman and arranged by Carol Britten Chambers. All Upper School band students came together to perform a medley of tunes from the hit show Stranger Things, which included the theme song, Should I Stay or Should I Go, and Running Up That Hill.
Finally, it was time for Jazz Band, also conducted by Berry. This dedicated group is small but mighty: fourteen students in perfect sync to make big, full sound. They offered three favorites: Fly Me To The Moon by Bart Howard and arranged by Allen Gray, Moonlight Serenade by Glenn Miller, transcribed by Jeff Hest, and Take Five by Paul Desmond, arranged by Rich DeRosa.
Berry presented the John Philip Sousa Award to Celia Swiston ’26 and recognized our graduating seniors: Rodney Freeman ’26, Swiston, and Yule Zhang ’26.
What a wonderful evening filled with beautiful music! Bravo to our hard-working, talented students!