Spring Music Concert and Awards
Source/Author: Ethan Updike, Musical Instructor
April 22, 2016
On April 20, band students in fourth through twelfth grades performed the Spring Music Concert to a resounding success. The bands performed a day concert for students in grades 3-8, and an evening concert for friends and family. Students performed a wide variety of worldly music and had the opportunity to share background information of the songs with the audience, setting the tone for each piece.
The Lower School kicked off the concert with a delicate performance by the fourth grade guitars of "Clair de Lune" by Claude Debussy. They were followed by the fourth grade strings who bowed A Mozart Melody ("Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"). The fourth grade winds closed their segment of the concert with energetic performances of "Dreidel", "Skip to My Lou", and "William Tell." The fifth grade winds and strings followed with spirited renditions of "Sakura", "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", "Banana Boat Song (Day-O)", "Song For Maria" and "Jingli Nona."
The concert then took a different turn when the Middle School Rock Band, “The Switch”, took us on a musical journey with "Dani California" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and "Tear in My Heart" by twenty one pilots. Their performance caught the attention of the audience and garnered a wild response.
The Middle School Band played two well-known melodies in "Two Grieg Sketches" and "Nimrod," successfully evoking the moods of the “Peer Gynt Suite” and “Enigma Variations,” respectively.
The Upper School Rock Band, B-Minus, led by Mr. Lee Ahlin took the stage to perform two classics in Green Day’s “Basket Case” and The Rolling Stones’ “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”. Their performance was energetic and highlighted the success of Shorecrest’s rock band program.
The Upper School Concert Band wowed the audience with their energetic performance of “The Washington Post March” by John Philip Sousa. They followed this with “Down a Country Lane” by Aaron Copland, a piece that lends itself to a more peaceful ambiance.
Following the Upper School Concert Band was a solo pianist, junior Holly M, who wowed the audience with her beautiful rendition of Debussy’s “Clair de Lune”.
Ending the concert was the Upper School Concert band with an adventurous playing of “Themes from Jurassic Park.”
Videos and photos of the Concert at the end of the article.
Videos and photos of the Concert at the end of the article.
Awards were given out in the evening concert for Most Outstanding Musician and Most Improved Musician.
4th Grade
Most Outstanding: Emmitt D, Keira H, Kaja D, Nicolas H, Libby C, Riley W, Alana R, Kara M
Most Improved: Timothy P
5th Grade
Most Outstanding: Grace W, Victoria D, Ian D, Mila S, Sean S, Lily L
Most Improved: Caelin B
6th Grade
Most Outstanding: Gabriella P, Kieran H
Most Improved: Grace S
7th Grade
Most Outstanding: Lili T, Jordan S, Ryan B
Most Improved: Lily M, Noah S
8th Grade
Most Outstanding: Erin W, Ari W
Most Improved: Scott S
9th Grade
Most Outstanding: Cooper L
Most Improved: Cooper L
10th Grade
Most Outstanding: Hunter H, Mitchell G
Most Improved: Hunter H
11th Grade
Most Outstanding: Holly M, Chase R, Kyle D, Carter V
Most Improved: Charlotte L
The concert was a beautiful demonstration of the groups’ progress, dedication, and commitment in their execution of musical works.
View some video clips from the program here:
View some video clips from the program here:
More photos here.
