On April 21 and April 28, the music program held their spring orchestra and band concerts. Each concert consisted of an array of pieces by different artists. Director of Bands Kevin Gallagher conducted the band and jazz ensembles, and Director of Orchestras and Choirs John Chen led the chamber orchestra and string orchestra.
“[The winter concert is] an introduction to what the new groups are because previous seniors have moved on and graduated,” Chen said. “[In the spring concerts] you hear the growth and progression of what has been happening throughout the whole year.”
On the day of the band concert, the Aragon music program was awarded as one of the Best Communities for Music Education by The National Association of Music Merchants. This award is given to 78 schools across the country.
An Aragon tradition at the spring concert is that graduating seniors wear a red ribbon around their necks, signifying the end of their time at Aragon and in the band program.
I think [music] is a good camaraderie, and I think [music] is a good talent
“This spring concert is the final concert … for people like the seniors, who have been in music all four years,” Chen said. “There’s something very meaningful [when they] get to see if they got an award for the years they put in music.”
For both orchestra and band, this is the last performance before the current seniors graduate.
“I’m looking forward to next year but I’m also sad that the band is going to change [with the seniors leaving,]” said sophomore Miles Rokala. “I’ve become friends with a couple of the seniors in the band and to me they are the band. There’s many people I look up to and they inspire me to love music so it’s hard to imagine the band without them.”
In continuation of yearly tradition, the underclassmen of chamber orchestra dedicated farewell tune “Ashokan Farewell,” by Jay Ungar, to the red ribbon-clad seniors who then linked little fingers in a sentimental moment for audience members and students.
Two of the ten music classes are dedicated to Jazz, which teach students improvisational skills that can also be executed in concerts.
“I think it’s a good way to boost the students’ confidence, especially when they perform because that’s what we’re mainly practicing for is to perform for other people, and possibly make their days better,” said senior Edward Lan.
The music program is partially funded by Music Boosters, who fundraise by selling concessions, stickers and other merchandise at concerts. This organization is run by parent and student volunteers.
“I run the food concession stand to raise money for the band, which will go toward any new equipment that they need,” said parent volunteer Tammy Dirsken. “We’re always here to try and help the teachers to provide for our students and our kids, so we volunteer hours and lots of food donations.”
[In the spring concerts] you hear the growth and progression of what has been happening throughout the whole year
The concerts also allow an opportunity for parents to hear what their children have been practicing throughout the school year.
“I think [music] is a good camaraderie, and I think [music] is a good talent,” said audience member Jill Pendergast. “It challenges a different part of your brain and your personality.”
The spring concerts were a culmination of the entire year’s practice and preparation from the bands and orchestras.
