The Combined High School Orchestras gave a stellar Pops Concert performance on Tuesday, April 23. They performed music from Beethoven to Appalachian hillbilly music. Featured performers were violin soloists Shelley C. (12) and Kelly Y. (11) as well as Katherine Y. (12) on cello. Works of note were the Coriolanus Overture by Beethoven, “March to the Scaffold” by Hector Berlioz, “Rhythm Dances” by Brian Balmages, and music from the video game called Journey known as "Apotheosis."

Following the orchestra performance and awards ceremony, the High School Concert Band took the stage with three dynamic pieces. They began with the adventure-filled sounds of "Fire Dance" by David Shaffer and ended with a piece familiar to all, “Bohemian Rhapsody.” In the middle of their performance, they were joined by members of the HS Jazz Band and MS Wind Ensemble. This strength in numbers allowed them to play a novel piece by John Mackey entitled "Foundry," which gave the imagery of a factory/foundry and the sounds that would be heard as people and machines alike were hard at work.

The final performers of the evening were the High School Jazz Band. They performed three pieces, one of which was the Stevie Wonder hit "Sir Duke." Soloists Sean L. (10), Jay B. (12), and Sean R. (11) were featured throughout the performance. The jazz band showed their strength not through numbers on the stage, but rather through dynamic expression, especially in their final tune, "Buckjump," a New Orleans-style groove with a catchy beat.

The orchestras and bands will get right back to work as they will be providing entertainment for the upcoming high school graduation ceremony at the end of May.

Click here to view the concert.