On Wed, Dec. 6, the middle and high school concert bands, led by director Mrs. Mullen, performed the annual Newport holiday band concert.
The middle school band performed first. They started their portion with “North Pole Sleigh Ride,” arranged by Mark Williams. Next, they played “Ding Dong Merrily On High,” a class Christmas song featuring brass and various percussion instruments arranged by Robert W Smith. The band then played Michael Story’s arrangement of “Patpan,” a fantastic royal tune. Lastly, they performed the famous Spanglish Christmas tune “Feliz Navidad,” arranged by Michael Sweeney. The middle school concert band featured staff members Sr. Craig Betts on tuba and Miss Donna Stuller on trombone.
The high school band followed the middle school band. The first song in their performance was “Christmas is Coming,” a fast-paced song with many Christmas carols interwoven into it arranged by Rob Romeyn. Next, was “How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” arranged by Michael Story. Then, the band played “A Christmas Hymn,” a solemn rendition of “Silent Night,” arranged by Robert W. Smith. Last, but not least, they performed “Hatikvah,” a concert band version of the Israel national anthem, arranged by Elliot Del Borgo.
The high school concert band featured staff members Betts on tuba, Stuller on trombone, Mrs. Carla Ebling on baritone saxophone, and Mrs. Nichole Briggs as a percussionist. The high school also featured Mullen’s daughter, Natalie Mullen. N. Mullen goes to Susquenita High School and substituted in a French horn seat for the concert. She commented, “I think the concert was so much fun! Playing with [the band] was such a joy, and I would definitely do it again.”
Mrs. Mullen felt prepared and was happy with the outcome. “I felt very good going into the concert,” explained Mullen, “and I felt really good after… It helped having some of those adults fill in on the instrumentations.” Overall, as in past years, the concert was a success for both the middle and high school.
