On February 6, the Norwin bands came together to perform many songs to show off their musical skills, during the concert 8th Grade Band, High School Wind Ensemble, and Concert Band performed. The bands were conducted by Mr. Ross Cohen, director of the Middle School Band, Mr. Brandon Kandrack director of the High School Concert Band, and Mr. Tim Daniels director of the High School Wind Ensemble.
“So the concert I think is important because it allows each of the ensembles to demonstrate the learning that’s happened over the last several months,” said Mr. Tim Daniels. “It’s an opportunity for students to show their parents in the community all of the work that they’ve done and it’s great to be able to perform music on stage in front of an audience.”
Throughout the night, the music being performed throughout the concert ranged from loud and upbeat to quiet and soft.
The concert started out strong with two music pieces performed by the 8th Grade Band, conducted by Mr. Ross Cohen. Before their first ensemble, Mr. Tim Daniels came forward, talking a little about the bands performing and the program and all the music they were performing. The 8th Grade Band performed “The Pursuit of Knowledge” by “Larry Clark” and “Jurassic Park” by “John Williams / arr. Eric Wilson.
After the 8th Grade Band left the stage it was time for the Concert Band to shine.
Concert Band made its way to the stage with the direction of Mr. Brandon Kandrack, compared to previous years the Concert Band had four weeks less rehearsal time to prepare for this concert than they normally would have been because of the extra long marching band season, flexible instructional days, and a couple of days off in January, so it incredible they had less time to get ready for the concert but still put on an incredible performance.
The Concert Band performed “Sparks” by “Brian Balmages”, “Nostalgia” by “Rossano Galante”, and “The Great Locomotive Chase” by “Robert W. Smith.”
Many of the band students have been playing their instruments for years and spend countless hours together.
“I joined the band because I just fell in love with music and I like performing arts and there’s nothing else like playing an instrument,” said key player of the trumpet junior Morgan Stephan. “It just connects you with so many different things in so many ways.”
In addition to all the time they spend together and the friends they make, the amount of practice is also a key to the Norwin Band’s success.
“I practice at least 30-45 minutes almost every day, “ said flute player Madison Kifer. “The best advice I have for students practicing their instruments is to remember that progress doesn’t happen overnight; it is a continuous process that can take weeks, months, or even years to reach your goals.”
After the Concert Band wrapped up their act, it was time for the high School Wind Ensemble to come on stage and finish the show. The music that the High School Wind Ensemble played was from a wide range of time periods, and wind ensemble music started being composed in the early part of the 20th century and has continued to today. Wind Ensemble music originated with military band music primarily in Great Britain.
Last but not least, the Wind Ensemble performed “Satiric Dances” by “Norman Dello Joio”, “Three Folk Song Settings for Band” by “Andrew Boysen Jr.”, “Second Suite in F” by “Gustav Holst”, “Prelude, Siciliano, and Rondo” by ”Malcolm Arnold/ arr. John Paynter”, and “Puszta” by “Jan Van Der Roost.”
