Music Director Amy James-Forrette introduces a song performed by the band during the December 12th Winter Celebration event at the Middle High School. Photos by Peter Day
The year’s edition of the annual Winter Celebration served as demonstration of how far the Middle High School’s music, art, drama and photography have come in just a few years. The concert/exhibit was held in the Sgt. Brian Walker Memorial Gymnasium on December 12th.
At 5 p.m., event attendees had an opportunity to walk through a large exhibit of photos by the school’s hands-on Photo History class, which guides students through a variety of composition techniques, Photoshop editing, and printing. The images presented a slice of life on campus and beyond. There were student self-portraits, photos of inanimate objects and more.
Art Teacher presented awards to the art show winners. They were:
Best in Show: Zaira Rodriguez; 1st Place: Brian Hernandez; 2nd Place: Ariana Garcia; 3rd Place: Brody Geist
Best in Show winner Zaira Rodriguez received her award. Other winners of the art show: 1st Place: Brian Hernandez; 2nd Place: Ariana Garcia; 3rd Place: Brody Geist.
At the same time as the art/photo exhibit, the school’s Hospitality Club was serving a variety of refreshments to guests. All program students are from the culinary classes and have food handler cards, allowing them to serve food at many school events. The students also manage the onsite Corral Restaurant where students take orders and prepare food for teachers and staff.
The start of the night’s main event, the music concert, was at 6. High School Drama Club announcers introduced each segment. They are Jennifer Fernandez, Roberta Fernandez, Isabella McCuistion, Emma Rogers, and Saul Lopez Castillo.
The High School Drama Club introduced each segment.
The Beginning Band performed two songs, “Merry Christmas to All” by Sandy Feldstein and John O’Reilly, and “Blizzard’s Fury” by Randall D. Standridge.
Trumpet player Samuel Nweke smiles before the band plays its set.
Next the Choir sang three numbers: “Dies Irae” by Roger Emerson, “I Believe in the Sun” by Thomas Juneau featuring soloists Gabriel Garcia and Zoe Comstock. Finishing the set was “Recuérdame” by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and arranged by Roger Emerson with singer Mitzy Coronel serving as the soloist.
Choir members perform their songs.
Next up, the String Orchestra performed “Miniature Symphony” by Richard Meyer and “I Spy” by Katie O’Hara LaBrie. The Advanced String Orchestra performed a different portion of Richard Meyer’s “Miniature Symphony.”
The lead string player gets her note from Ms. James-Forrette.
The Advanced Band closed the show with the Irish folk song “Down by the Salley Gardens” and “Ancient Hunters” by Sean O’Loughlin.
Clarinetist performs during the band segment.
THE PERFORMERS
Beginning Band:
Flute: Giselle Diaz, Brooke Novaselec; Alto Saxophone: Abigail Klinger, Catherine Velasquez-Alcantara, Lona Malone, and Augustine Villanueva; Trumpet: Benjamin Ledezma, Charles Poutsma, Mason Soltero, Samuel Nweke (also played in Advanced Band “Ancient Hunters”), Tyson Rippee; French Horn: Zharek Hiromi Miramontes; Trombone: Kamryn Winslow, Alexander Marin, Rafael; Clarinet: Emma Beede, Joshua Terrones, Lily Eisley, Seth Hite; Tenor Saxophone: Arilylah Reyes, William Wakewood, Nancy Vrolyks; Euphonium: Isai Barajaz Leiva; Tuba: Irvin Angeles (also played in Advanced Band “Ancient Hunters”); Percussion: Richard Beckwith, Izaac Murillo, Siris Genter, Saul Lopez Castillo, Alexis Hale, Javier Marquez.
Choir:
Mattie Beck, Monserrat Calderon-Valencia, Gabriel Garcia, Liam Hite, Aaron Pinedo, Zoe Comstock, Mitzy Coronel, Leonardo Gutierrez, Iraina Perez, and Esmerelda Reyes.
String Orchestra:
Flute: Lily Cobos, Cinthis Surber, Gabriel Garcia, Monserrat Calderon-Valencia; Alto Saxophone: Liam Hite; Trombone: Gavan Strauss; Tuba: Zharek Hiromi Miramontes; Clarinet: Isabella McCuistion, Eileensurii Davalos, Solaire Galvan, Brian Ferrer Martinez; Trumpet: Aaron Pinedo; Percussion: Sarai Rodriguez, Dexter Enright.
More photos of the artwork: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/fijdq4953kjrfs31nxdf1/AEWTfuZnNc2_S2A6xYuOz-Q?rlkey=xluqj4475lcfdhskg94khozt1&st=mxipikvg&dl=0
