Middle and high school students perform a Christmas band concert
Middle and high school students performed their Christmas band concert for the Wesleyan community on Wednesday, Dec. 6.
“It’s the one time a year that we all gather as an entire band program, and you get to hear both beginners and seniors,” reflects Ruthie Colgrove, middle school band director. “It’s really special.”
The fifth grade band performed a pep tune medley that has become an annual tradition at the Christmas concert along with pop music by Julius Dixson and Beverly Ross (arranged by David Campbell). Students in the fifth grade band played flute, saxophone, euphonium, clarinet, trumpet, and trombone.
The sixth grade band played “Cool It!” by Randy Navarre, “Gingerbread Men on Parade” by Len Orcina, and “Jingle Bells” by James Pierpont (arranged by Benjamin Dockery). Olivia Kim ‘30 and Chris Kang ‘30 performed oboe solos of “Procession of the Kings” by John O’Reilly.
The advanced band performed “Jungle Dance” by Brian Balmages, “Sugarplum Rock from the Nutcracker Suite” arranged by Paul Clark, and “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” arranged by Ruth Jeanne. Advanced band percussionists performed “Bucimis” arranged by Bob Lipton. Students in advanced band played flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, euphonium, trombone, tuba, and percussion instruments.
The high school symphonic band performed “In the Bleak Midwinter” by Gustav Holst (arranged by Robert W. Smith), “On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss” by David Holsinger, “Variations on a Korean Folk Song” by John Barnes Chance, “Winter from the Four Seasons” by Antonio Vivaldi (arranged by Brian Slawson), and “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson.
The jazz club also performed interims throughout the concert.
Thank you to all who attended, and we hope the concert reminded you of the joy of the Christmas season!
