San Juan High School

Rounding out this semester, choir and band kicked off the last week of school. Led by music teacher Mark Bake, students sang, drummed, fluted, trumpeted, tromboned, and many other things besides. Oh, and let’s not forget the guitarists who opened the concert.

For the benefit of those who did not attend, this is what happened. It all began with guitars. Five students formed an ensemble performing “Ukrainian Carol”, in the classical style. This means that strings were picked and strummed individually, rather than in chords. Their playing was good, and wellcoordinated. Following them, the concert band played three songs; “Sleigh Ride”, “Winter’s Night”, and “God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen”. “Sleigh Ride” made good use of all band instruments and of the band as a whole. Listening  to “Winter’s Night” seemed a musical battle between woodwinds and brass, each vying for attention. They finished up with “God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen” which had a strong percussive
backbone built upon by the deeper brass (trombones, tubas).

After the band had played, concentrations shifted to the choir. Sara Morley sang a beautiful solo, “Where Are You Christmas”. Next, “Do You Hear What I Hear”, was sung softly, but confidently, by the concert choir. They completed the choir only portion with “What Child Is This”. Arranged by Mr. Bake, the sound featured both high and low by alternating boys’ and girls’ voices.

The concert concluded with choir and band making music together. “A Festive Christmas Celebration” included four Christmas favorites and thus had a range in both tempo and pitch. The big finale, “Silent Night”, was sung in four languages: English, German, Spanish, and Navajo. During the last verse, band members added their voices to the song.

In all, it was a fantastic concert.

By Ammon Teare