Music filled the auditorium recently, as Stage Band, Jazz Band, Chorale, Intermediate/Concert Band and Symphonic Band graced the stage for The Wheatley School Spring Concert.
The program began with Dr. Peggy Ho directing Stage Band, which performed “String of Pearls” by Jerry Gray and arranged by Lewis, “Jada” by Bob Carleton and arranged by Nestico and “It Don’t Mean a Thing (if it ain’t got that swing)” by Duke Ellington and Irving Mills and arranged by Taylor.
Next up, Steve Fitzko directed Jazz Band, which played “Take Five” by Paul Desmond, “Four” by Miles Davis and “The Dance of Denial” by Michael Philip Mossman.
Chorale followed, under the direction of Angela Luftig with Rick Leidenfrost-Wilson as accompanist. The singing group performed Dan Davison’s “Ritmo,” a rhythmic, percussive piece with Spanish text and flavor; “Ubi Caritas” by Audrey Snyder; “Stand Together” by Jim Papoulis, which is meant to reflect the inner strength that lies in all of us; and a medley from The Lion King by Elton John and Tim Rice, including “The Circle of Life,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “Hakuna Matata” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”
The Intermediate/Concert Band was up next, conducted by Ho and Stan Orlovsky. The band performed “Anthem for Winds and Percussion” by Claude T. Smith, who wrote more than 110 band, orchestral and choral pieces; “In the Forest of the King” by Pierre La Plante, a three-movement suite of contrasting sections based on traditional French folksongs; and “Bonds of Unity” by Karl L. King, who at age 11 began a decade-long career as a baritone player in several circus bands including Barnum Bailey’s, and arranged by Swearingen.
The concert concluded with Ho directing Symphonic Band, which played “Second Suite in F for Military Band” by Gustav Holst, one of the original composers for wind ensemble; and “Young People’s Guide to John Williams” by John Williams and arranged by Bocook. The final medley included songs from Hook, Harry Potter, E.T. and Indiana Jones’ “Raiders March.”
The evening was bitter sweet for all of the red rose–clad seniors, who were taking to the stage for their last Wheatley concert.
