Middle School concert presents energy, variety

Musicians in grades six to eight demonstrated their skill at vocal and instrumental performance to a nearly full house during the Junior High Midwinter Concert the evening of Feb. 25. Other “fine art” skills were presented as well: imaginative model dinosaurs and landscape paintings by participants in high school art classes were on display. Middle school musicians had also created appealing slide shows to help introduce and give visual representation to the musical numbers.

The 20 members of the grade 6 to 8 choir performed five songs as a group: “Home on the Range,” “You are My Sunshine,” “Ashokan Farewell,” featuring violin accompaniment by high-schooler Faith Phillips, a composite of “Land of the Silver Birch” and “My Paddle Keen and Bright,” and the traditional spiritual “Wade in the Water,” a song with a contagious tune which vocal music instructor and director Krista Reeder stated had been “in everyone’s heads” ever since students first heard it.

The vocal portion of the concert concluded with the eight members of the junior chamber choir performing “Journey the Night.”

The next group at the front were the 21 members of the sixth-grade band. They performed “Monuments” and “Dragon Slayer.”

The 28 members of the junior high band performed “Dark Matter,” “Peer Gynt Suite,” and “Ancient Voices.”

Vocal director Reeder and instrumental music instructor Seth Schaefer thanked audience members for attending and for encouraging their students to take part in fine arts programs. “Without these younger musicians,” Schaefer urged, “the high school band doesn’t exist.”

Directors also mentioned that Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) solo, ensemble and large group contests take place in March. To give community members a chance to experience those “contest” pieces prepared by musicians in grades 9 to 12, the music department is holding “showcase” events the evening of Tuesday, March 11. Solo and ensemble performances will begin at 6 p.m. The pieces prepared by the full band and choir will be presented beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Also called to the audience’s attention was the March 25 to 30 music department trip to California.

The spring band concert, featuring grades 5 to 12, will be May 13.

Reeder announced there will be an “all-school” musical performed May 17 and 18. The play will be “The Wizard of Oz.” Students in grades 5 to 12 are eligible to audition.