A year in reflection: music department ends semester with series of concerts

The 2010-11 school year has been a busy one for the Aragon Music Department. Both orchestra teacher David Martin and band teacher Troy Davis have hosted a number of visiting music groups from across the nation, including some from Utah and Montana. Martin says, “We exchange music with them, they play pieces for us and we play for them in what is called ‘call and response.’ It’s just for fun and our students get a chance to see and hear other kids just like them.”

Some more experienced visiting groups have included the Alexander String Quartet from San Francisco University, the Peninsula Symphony and the Acapella group from Cornell University. The Aragon campus visitors have not only shared music with young music students, but they have also continued to help educate them with lecture demonstrations and other events.

Sophomore James Garcia says, “Hanasaki in particular taught me that discipline can create a great performance.” Freshman bass trombone player Stanley Krzesniak says, “The visiting music groups have helped me grow because they’ve taught you to practice more and I even practice more because of them.” As an experienced Aragon musician, junior trumpeter Joseph Chua says, “Hanasaki was so good and it showed me how good one can get with both practice and discipline.”

Davis also says, “We’ve become a real destination for groups either on tour or traveling because we have such a great music program.”

On Thursday, April 28, the Aragon music students participated in their annual Band Spring Concert in this year’s theme, “Reflections.” All three music branches met in the Aragon theatre to perform various pieces they had learned throughout the year: the concert band, symphonic band and wind ensemble. The evening began with four songs played by the concert band, some of which included Semper Fidelis March, At Morning’s First Light, Rollo Takes a Walk and Flight of the Griffin. Following the concert band was the symphonic band and the night continued with another four pieces they performed including: A Longford Legend, Chorale for Band, Inchon and Kirkpatrick Fanfare. Coming to the event’s close, the Wind Ensemble played five familiar pieces, two of the more popular including their Pirate’s of the Carribean (Symphonic Suite) and Machu Picchu- City in the Sky.

The Aragon concert band, symphonic band, and wind ensemble were able to end the year with a final performance in the CMEA band festival at Hillsdale High School. Bands from around the San Mateo area were participants as well, a few included Serra, Burlingame and Carlmont High School. At the end of the festival, Aragon was the recipient of a number of awards and honors. The concert band was awarded All Excellent, Symphonic Band was awarded all Superiors and One Excellent, and the Wind Ensemble was awarded Unanimous Superior. The music department will close the year with a final performance at the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2011.