By Elaine Rassel
It was a perfect (weather-wise) evening to attend the MMCRU High School Winter Concert. The day before we experienced high winds causing damage to certain areas. However, Thursday (Dec. 16) it was time to enjoy band and concert music by high school music students with Band Director, Ms. Emma Davis and Choir Director, Ms. Breeana De Vos.
The program opened with the 9-12 Choir members standing in front of the stage with a light in their hand. Then piano music began their trip to the risers to begin their opening song, “Ave Maria”. Their second presentation took the audience to Africa for a Kenyan Folk Melody entitled, “African Alleluia”. Michael Rupp provided the background sound on drums. On the brighter side, they concluded with “Ding Dong Merrily On High”.
High School Choir members are Isabella Ahlers*, Jordyn Holsinger, Ashley Hurtado*, Ethan Johnson, Jacob Johnson, Regan Konz, Alyana Murray, Brielle Myears*, Rylee Neddermeyer, Caitlin Olson*, Ryan Olson, Andrea Penning, McCartney Pierce, Emily Rains, Katelynn Reiter, Anthony (AJ) Russell, Hope Russell*, Autumn Sanow*, Perla Solano, Zoey Turner, Caitlin Wetter, Jaxon Woodall, and Mykin Youde*. (A * behind the student’s name denotes the student is also a member of Jazz Choir.)
Just in case we had forgotten, the High School Jazz Choir informed us, “Christmas Day is on the Way!”.
The High School Jazz Band took to their chairs with Soloists, Allison Astidias, Jaelyn Kabisch, Caitlin Olson, and Mattisen Dias. Their opening number was “C-Jam Blues” and followed by “Maximum Velocity”.
The Band separated into Mini Bands with Classic Christmas Carols played. We heard, “No: Silent Night” with Eban Hicks, Ryan Stridde, Olivia Flewelling, Jaidyn Ballard, and Carver Miller. This Percussion section did make sure there was NO Silent Night!
The Bah Humbug Christmas Special: “O Come All Ye Faithful” was presented with Ashley Hurtado (Flute), Ellie Durkee and Alyana Murray (Clarinets), Evan Molzen (Trumpet), and Alex Armfield on Low Brass.
AJ=Awesome Jingle Bells: “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” was presented with Allison Astidias and Caitlin Wetter on Flutes; Leandra Klinker played Clarinet; Hope Russell on Trumpet; Bree Richardson on Low Brass and A.J. Russell played the Bongo Drum for background sound.
The Who’s: “The First Noel” had Caitlin Olson and Hannah Doellinger on Flutes; Michelle Schmidt played Clarinet; Jaelyn Kabisch and Elsie Hogg were on Saxophones; and Joshua Armfield played Trumpet.
This Mini Band concluded their presentation with Santa’s Seniors: “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”. Ellie Hilbrands and Makenzie played Flutes; Regan Peters and Ellie Reuter played Clarinets; Mattisen Dias was on Saxophone; and Brett Staab played Low Brass. This group was Seniors who will be graduating and will be missed in the Band! Separating into Mini groups was something different and involved the Band members at different times playing their instruments.
Now it was time to get the whole Concert Band together. They played two selections from the Nuts and Crackers Sweet. “March of the Rin Tin Tin Soldiers” had the audience marching in place! You couldn’t have been dozing off when “Russian Hat-rack Dance was presented! They concluded with “All I Want for Christmas is You” taken from Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff.
“A Christmas Serenade” was composed of the Combined Band and Choir members. Several Christmas songs were played in this Serenade.
Band Students are: Ellie Hilbrands, Makenzie Meyer, Caitlin Olson*, Hannah Doellinger, Allison Astidias*, Ashley Hurtado, and Caitlin Wetter* on (Flutes). Regan Peters, Ellie Reuter, Aiyana Murray, Leandra Klinker, Michelle Schmidt, and Ellie Durkee played (Clarinets). Mattisen Dias*, Jaelyn Kabisch*, and Elsie Hogg* were on (Saxophones). Josh Armfield*, Hope Russell* and Evan Molzen played (Trumpets). (Low Brass) players were Brett Staab, Bree Richardson, and Alex Armfield. The (Percussion) section was represented with Eban Hicks, Ryan Olson*, Max Stridde*, Jaidyn Ballard*, Olivia Flewelling, Carver Miller, Ethan Johnson, and A.J. Russell.
Ethan Johnson and A.J. Russell provided background sound from a Bongo drum on several songs. Bongo drums are smaller in nature than other drums and are played to a different pitch by using fingers.
A * behind a student’s name denotes the student was also a member of the Jazz Band.
As I have said before, “These Choir and Band students have talent and they showed this at Thursday’s concert.
Upcoming Events in 2022 include Grades 5-12 Band Pops Concert on March 8 in the Marcus gym and a Middle School Choir Pops Concert is March 10 (in Remsen??). The Marcus Commons will feature a Mattress Fundraiser on Saturday , April 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a Solo/’Ensemble Contest on Saturday, April 9, 2022.