Photo by Andrés Oyaga
Staff Photographer
The SPHS orchestra and bands ushered in the holidays with the annual Winter Concert Thursday, Dec. 13. Friends and family gathered in the auditorium to enjoy a wide variety of compositions, ranging from upbeat jazz performances to grand overtures.
The concert band opened the evening with the overture “Festivo,” a piece primarily featuring quick snare beats and clarinets. The symphonic band followed with three drastically different pieces. “Landscapes” was a triumphant composition with powerful trumpets, while the use of the chime tree in “Autumn On White Lake” created a softer, mystical mood. To cap off its performance, the band played “Flat Out and Wide Open,” a high-energy piece, filled with multiple tempo changes.
The jazz band performed five pieces, including Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas,” which garnered the night’s loudest applause and cheers. The orchestra and symphonic band ended the night with a composition featuring music from classic holiday films like The Polar Express and Home Alone.
Junior Kenny Schultz took the stage during intermission to recognize the president of the Music Boosters, Helena Yee, for her hard work and dedication.
“She coordinates everything. Every concert we have, trip we go on, and fundraiser we hold is run by her,” Schultz said. “She works night and day to make sure the band can do the things it needs to do and that it has the money to do them.”
Drumline winter competitions will begin in January, and the bands and orchestra will host Spaghetti Dinner Night Thursday, Feb. 28.