News Clips: NHS Spring Bands Concert

Last week the NHS Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble had a bittersweet end to their concert season.

The repertoire challenged both groups to push past their limits. First, the Symphonic Band played pieces like the ponderous “Danzon” and closed with the fervent and intense “March of The Trolls.” The woodwinds had to play quick scales and switch octaves in the bulk of the melody. It should be noted that both bands had to learn these songs for the Young People’s Concert at Cole School, which was a couple of weeks ago. It was amazing to see how much the group had progressed since the Fall.

The Symphonic Band graduated a total of seven seniors, and Band Director, Mr. O’ Briant, sent them each off with a heartfelt speech about all they have accomplished not only musically, but school-wide, which ended with what college they were going to attend in the fall.

Next was a brief intermission, and the Wind Ensemble took the stage with senior Charlie Metzger delivering another touching speech, this time about O’Briant, which made both the audience and band teary-eyed.

The Wind Ensemble’s repertoire commenced with a lively, grand song titled “Pineapple Poll.” For us, the song truly emphasized the concept of “practice makes perfect,” as the first bars include never ending 16th notes that even the best of players could look at with doubt. But the piece ended after taking it slow and raising the tempo, and the audience seemed quite impressed. Next, another technically challenging piece was presented, “La Fiesta Mexicana,” which the band has played in prior years, but O’Briant claims it “just keeps getting better and better.” The band closed with “Symphonic Dance #3,” which was a Mexican inspired piece, with a waltz played in the middle by the woodwinds.

The show ended with a humbling, but well-earned standing ovation. The Wind Ensemble sent off it’s nine seniors, ready for new opportunities to make music.