Similar to other performing arts such as choir and dance, the Instrumental Music Department performs their annual Spring Concert which showcases their repertoire learned throughout the second semester. The concert featured many different styles of music performed by the variety of different bands/ensembles. Styles of music included classical, jazz, symphonic, etc.
On Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 7pm, the concert began. The concert was free admission, meaning that no payment was required to watch this performance. There were parents and volunteers at the entrance of the auditorium passing out programs as people entered. Once the time reached 7pm, the conductor and music director, Ms. Krissia Molina, opened the concert with a preview of the showcase. When the concert began, the audience was greeted with different styles of music, which encompassed a different meaning through the speed and dynamics of the music. For example, slower and smooth songs from the Wind Ensemble differed from the upbeat and hip songs of the Jazz Band. “I’ve always enjoyed watching band concerts and seeing my friends perform, and the different kinds of music were very unique,” Ryan Wang, 12, said.
To the human ear, the music may not sound all that impressive, but each song encapsulates the hard work of students of all skill levels throughout the course of several months. To execute a song, many hours of afterschool practice and countless hours spent on the timing of instruments are put into each piece. While these performances are not as flashy and exciting as marching band, each piece still holds an underlying value that cannot be overlooked. Wind Ensemble percussionist and Marching Band member Alwin Champon says that “although the excitement and thrill of marching band can never be replaced, the sophistication and elegance of Wind Ensemble is also worth praise.” Even though the songs performed are less upbeat, many countless hours are put into each song to convey a theme or meaning behind the pluck of strings and blows of instruments.
Overall, the Instrumental Music Department Spring Concert showcased a traditional and classy array of repertoire which demonstrated the hard work from the department from this entire semester. As the end of the year comes closer, the bands must now prepare for future performances and festivals, especially the last concert of the year, the Pops Concert.
