Archive: Around Town

Wednesday night marked the first in a two week series of concerts by Lansing school bands, orchestras and choruses in the Middle School auditorium. Performances by the 5th and 6th Grade Orchestra and Band, as well as the High School Band were on the program.

First up was the 5th and 6th Grade Orchestra, which means strings only in Lansing. Lyn Weil led them in three pieces, joining the students with her violin on a fourth. Beginning with a Celtic dance, they next played a rhythm piece written by the students.

A beautiful rendition of Soon Hee Newbold's "Appalachian Hymn" followed with varying rhythm and harmonies. They finished with "Hunters Chorus" to the applause of an appreciative audience.


Gail Hughes led the 5th and 6th Grade Band in five lively numbers, beginning with a very nicely done "Festival of the Eternal Lights." The band really excelled with Swearingen's "The Light of Dawn," with strong trumpets, a very nice arrangement with good overall harmonies well played and varied percussion including hand clapping. They finished with a traditional sounding band piece, "Glenbriar March," which featured a few of the students in the front row.

Wrapping up the program the High School Band began with a stand-out performance of Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride." Director Eric Hummel noted the piece, while very popular, is hard to learn and he thought the kids might be sick of it after rehearsing the piece for two months. The work paid off in a professional sounding, well paced rendition that made you feel Bing Crosby might step onto the stage at any moment.

Eric Hummel directs the High School Band

A soulful rendition of the traditional "Shenandoah" featured the flute and horn sections. The band finished by mastering the difficult "Jubilance," which Mr. Hummel noted is a NISMA Level piece. It is an intricate melody with strong changes in rhythm.

Last night (12/08) the 7th & 8th Grade Orchestra, 7th & 8th Grade Band and the 5th & 6th Grade Chorus performed. The 7th & 8th Grade Band started things off with "On the Mall," an easy going bandstand-style number with plenty of piccolo, directed by Gail Hughes. "House of Horrors" might have attracted the ghost of Carl Stalling, who arranged the wacky musical backgrounds for the old Looney Toons. Woven into the Medley was "Funeral March of a Marionette," better known as the theme from the Alfred Hitchcock Hour, plus the scary music from Disney's Fantasia. The band finished up with "New York 1927," a Joplinesque arrangement with a jazzy "Show Boat" sound.

Next up was the 7th & 8th Grade Orchestra, which played four pieces beginning with the stately "Prelude to Te Deum," conducted by student teacher Diana Geiger. Next Lyn Weill took over the baton for a traditional Scottish piece with cellos and bass creating a bagpipe-like drone. She also conducted two other pieces that featured pizzicato and bowed counterpoint, and lively interaction between the instruments.

Lucas Hibbard conducts the 5th & 6th Grade Chorus

Last, but not least, the 5th and 6th Grade Chorus sang four holiday songs, especially appropriate because of the weather forecast. With a Swingle Singers style "Here Comes Santa Clause," "Kindle the Hannukah Lights," a call for holiday peace, the lullaby-like carol "Still, Still, Still" conductor Lucas Hibbard led the sweet voiced chorus. They finished up with "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."

The music continues nest week with a December 14 performance by the High School orchestra, Varsity Chorale and Mixed Chorus. This will be followed by the December 15 concert featuring the 3rd & 4th Grade Chorus and the 7th & 8th Grade Chorus.

----
v1i21