By Layla Abukhdeir, Staff Writer
River Hill High School’s band concert last Friday highlighted the dedication and talent of student musicians across multiple ensembles, giving audience members an entertaining and energetic night of music.
The concert opened with the percussion ensemble, shining a spotlight on students who are usually seen at the back of the orchestra. Their performance of “Serengeti” immediately set an upbeat tone for the evening, showcasing enthusiasm that energized the audience.
After the opening performance, Mr. Blackman led the audience of students, parents, and alumni in singing the River Hill alma mater, a long-standing band tradition.
Next came the Jazz Band. Unlike the other ensembles, Jazz Band is a club rather than a scheduled class, meaning students dedicate extra time to weekly after-school rehearsals. While the group typically begins later in the school year, Mr. Blackman shared that students approached him early this year, eager to start. Their hard work paid off as they performed “Blue Monk,” “Star Eyes,” and “Land of Make Believe,” with impressive solos from Lucas Chiang, Mark Li, Ameya Moghekar, Timothy Wang, Jonathan Krum, Tyler Bowman, and Alana Spanier. Many of the solos were improvised, adding to the excitement and showcasing the musicians’ creativity.
The Symphonic Band followed with a set of unique pieces, including “Earthdance,” which required students to clap and snap along with the music. They were also joined by rising River Hill ninth graders, giving younger students an opportunity to perform alongside current high school musicians.
The concert concluded with the Wind Ensemble, whose performance showed how professional they are. They performed the holiday favorite “Sleigh Ride,” a tradition at River Hill’s winter band concerts, alongside River Hill alumni. The ensemble also played “Star Wars,” which Mr. Blackman believes is the original published score based on its 1977 publication date.
Flute players Zara Kishore and Anaya Moghekar, both members of the Wind Ensemble, reflected on the concert as a whole.
“I think everybody did really well,” Kishore said. “I was really impressed with Symphonic Band, especially.”
“Jazz Band was so great,” Moghekar said. “The solos are mostly improv, so it’s really impressive.”
Overall, the concert showcased the musical skill and dedication of River Hill’s band students across all ensembles and grades.