The Band’s Pops Concert was held on Friday, May 8th. The Concert Band, along with the Intermediate and Advanced Jazz Bands, kicked off the warm, summer weather with a selection of upbeat songs, along with the well known sounds from the Phantom of the Opera.

The Intermediate Jazz Band’s selection included “Chuck’s Stake” composed by Lennie Niehaus, “Bag’s Groove” by Milt Jackson, and “Cantaloupe Island” by Herbie Hancock. The solos were determined the night of the concert, and, as usual, improvised by the members.

One of the members, Harrison Carter, who plays the trumpet, said, “we could have done better, we completely forgot ‘dynamics’ and some phrases in our songs were kind of sloppy.”

The Advanced Jazz Band performed “The Chicken” by Maceo Parker and “What is Hip?”- words and music by Emilio Castillo, Stephen Kupka, and David Garibaldi. The song “Diggin’ on James Brown” (words and music by Emilio Castillo, Stephen Kupka and Ken Kessie) includes a vocal solo that was performed by Sam Keith. Instrumental solos were determined that night, along the same lines of the Intermediate Jazz Band’s system.

Concert Band performed moderately more advanced arrangements. “Under the Big Top” by Robert Jager was one of these arrangements, and Selections from The Phantom of the Opera arranged by Warren Barker concluded the concert. Delaney Mckenna, who plays the flute told us, “it went better than expected because before hand I could barely play some of the parts but everyone else sounded great. Personally I liked the ‘Think of Me’ piece and the ‘Phantom”’.

Along with the bands, some of the seniors showed off their talents with Senior Solos. Kate Savell performed a piano solo and Erika Rohrberg showcased her flute talents with piano accompaniment. Jake Kallio, along with all band seniors, John Atkinson, Erika Rohrberg, Kate Savell, and Zach Weber, performed the Marimba Solo.

To everyone in the band, keep up the hard work you sounded amazing!