On March 6, 2013, the ACMS 7th and 8th
grade band along with Jazz Band made another stunning performance in the new PHS Auditorium on their
simply wonderful musicality!
All 3 bands showed off their professional performances of playing
music. During all the performances, the music that all the bands played told a
story and you could feel the excitement or groove to the songs. Not only was
their music performed fantastically, but if you were to look at them, you would
not say that they were a Middle School Band: they looked like the Milwaukee
Symphony Orchestra. So professional looking, that their performance kept you
interested. No matter how slow or fast, how upbeat or downbeat their music is,
they will not let you fall asleep. If you fall asleep, they will wake you right
back up again. The quality and professionalism of these bands will be music to
your ears, as what happened to me.
To start off the concert, the 7th grade band
played with great expression and style to get the party started. In the first
piece that they played, the rhythm and expression made it feel like the music
from Jurassic Park theme song, if you have seen the movie. “I truly enjoyed
watching the band perform their fantastic music,” a parent commented, “and the
music flowed with grace and fluency, but at the same time, with enlightening
style and uplifting beats.” Many parents were amazed at the wonderful music
that was played, especially when the 7th graders were new to their
director, Ms. Kate Mitchell. The atmosphere in the beautiful new auditorium in
the High School, made the music more lively and exciting. Not only were the
parents having a fun time listening, but watching the kids, you could tell that
they were having as much fun as the parents were. Their performance was filled
with energy, excitement with great articulation and dynamics. “Out of all the
concerts, this was the best performance the 7th graders have ever
done!” one parent said. The Spring Concert for the 7th graders was
truly inspiring! Even though there were some spots in some music where the 7th
graders struggled, they fought through it and brought out a great performance!
After the 7th graders were done, you could tell by the smiles on
their faces that they were excited to come back and perform another concert.
The energy and excitement continues so it is time to change
gears in this wonderful concert from a band, to a Jazz Band! With the song
selection for the Jazz Band, the audience was fully engaged with the groove of
jazz. “I have never seen a Jazz Band live from a Middle School,” one parent
commented, “and with the outstanding dynamics and articulation, the groove made
me move!” Although the Jazz Band performed very well, there were some parts
that were lacking and would have made the songs much more jazzy if those parts
improved. What matters most is the music that is performed, and not how well
the band or bands play them. Although one portion of the concert ended, the
Jazz Band came out with energy and excitement
that filled the auditorium with the style of jazz. As you listened, even
though there were many hard spots in the pieces, you could tell all of the hard
work that was put into this band. “I had great time playing the jazz music,
even though it was difficult,” a student from the Jazz Band said, “and when we
rehearsed, everyone had a blast! We saw a smile on Ms. Mitchell’s face after we
were done performing and that put butterflies in my stomach! If I have the
opportunity to do Jazz Band in the high school, I am all for it.”
In the last portion of the concert, the 8th
graders came out with a stunning performance, with upbeat music and looking
like pros. The 8th graders looked just as professional as the 7th
graders did. As I was listening, all of the songs were music to my ears! As I
looked around, I could see the audience fully engaged in the music and putting
a smile on their faces. There were some parts in all of the pieces where some
of the instruments were out of tune, but for the most part, the songs and the
song selections were phenomenal! “I enjoyed listening to the 8th
grade portion of the concert as much as I did the 7th graders,” one
parent said, “because there was so much energy and excitement. I could tell
that behind every song, there was a story that was being told through the
music.” Throughout the portion of the concert, there was great tone quality in
every song. The last song that they 8th graders played had wonderful
tone quality, articulation, blending and pace. It was a very uplifting pace and
kept the audience interested. I could tell that the 8th graders had
a great time with the last song. When the audience was listening, the person
next to me was telling me how amazing the conductor is. With all of the fast
paced songs that the 8th graders did, her arms must have been
getting tired! And I couldn’t have agreed more. The effort that was put into
all of the music really caught me by surprise. There were a lot of groovy songs
throughout the 8th grade portion of the concert that I was bouncing
up and down in my seat! What made me bounce up and down and get in the groove
was all of the articulation, dynamics especially, the tone quality and much
more! “If the 8th graders perform another concert like this or
better, I am all in for going!” one parent said. Let me tell you one thing; if
you were not at the Spring Concert, I suggest that the next concert, you come
and listen to these wonderful students and listen to all of the hard work and
phenomenal music that they play.
At the end of the concert, many parents were thrilled
listening to the wonderful music that was performed for them. Their director
Ms. Kate Mitchell conducted so well and people could tell that she enjoys her
job and working with all of the students that are in band. After the concert, I
talked with the wonderful director herself. “There were many songs in the 8th
grade portion that scared me to the point that I was sweating! In the 7th
grade and Jazz, I wasn’t concerned because their songs were really easy and
they mastered all of the songs in about a week. There was a lot of frustration
throughout the creation of the concert, but after words, with the 8th
grade, I was smiling to the point that my mouth was about to fall off. As we
went back to the band room, one of my prized trumpet players came up to me and
told me ‘Happy Mitchell!’ and I agreed 100% with her.” The Spring Concert of
2013 performed by the ACMS students was outstanding with their professional
look and amazing tone quality. As it happened to me, the whole concert was
music to my ears! I encourage every family and person to go out and watch the
next concert that the ACMS band performs because I know for a fact that it will
be truly outstanding and inspiring!
Allison Andes
The Music Messenger Sentinel
No comments:
Post a Comment