Newport High School held its annual Spring band concert on Wednesday, May 1. The Elementary, Middle, and High school concert bands, along with the middle and high school Jazz band, performed a selection of pieces for an audience of family and friends.
Starting the concert was the middle and high school Jazz band. The band started with “Pink Panther” arranged by Paul Murtha, followed by “Cruella De Vil” which was arranged by Michael Sweeney. Lastly, the jazz band played “Get Smart Theme” arranged by Michael Story. Each song had several soloists who added to the pieces.
Following the jazz band was the Elementary school concert band. The band played “First Concert Parade,” written and arranged by John O’Reilly. This song has familiar tunes such as Hot Cross Buns, Lightly Row, Go Tell Aunt Rhodie, and Merrily We Roll Along.
After the Elementary band played, the Middle School Band showed their portion of the show. They first played “Simple Gifts” which was written in 1848 by the Shaker religious group. Next, the band played “The Three Faces of Kilimanjaro,” a piece that captures the journey and mystery of the Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira peaks. Following this was “Canticum,” a song from the scriptures similar to a psalm and is religious in character. They last played “Manhattan Beach,” written by John Philip Sousa in 1893 to commemorate the Manhattan Beach where he became a popular figure at the famous New York summer resort.
The High School band debuted their show starting with “Gaelic Rhapsody,” written and arranged by Elliot Del Borgo. Gaelic Rhapsody is a level-four piece, meaning it is extremely difficult to play. Band director Mrs. Mullen says, “I was extremely proud of the high school performance of Gaelic Rhapsody. I actually started tearing up while I was conducting because not only did it bring back memories of me playing it in high school, but it was the best [they’ve] ever played it, and it was an extremely difficult piece of band repertoire for a high school group.” Secondly, the band played, “Pirates of the Caribbean” written and arranged by Klaus Badlet. This version of “Pirates of the Caribbean” featured the tunes of The Medallion Calls and The Black Pearl. The band ended their performance with “Tailspin,” written and arranged by Rob Romeyn. The song is fast to represent a plane falling out of the sky.
Before the last song was played, the band took a break for Mrs. Nichole Briggs, president of the band boosters, to acknowledge the two seniors who won scholarships. Seniors Lucas Beaver and Leah Stuck were the scholarship recipients.
Newport’s combined piece, a musical selection where elementary, middle, and high school students play together, was Beauty and The Beast’s “Tale as Old as Time.” This was a nod to the spring musical which featured many band members.
In addition to the many talented student musicians, Newport introduced several guest performers, including Mr. Craig Betts on tuba, Mrs. Briggs on percussion, Mrs. Carla Ebling on baritone sax, Miss Donna Stuller on trombone, and Mrs. Rebecca Wiles on percussion.
The next musical performance by Newport students will be at the fairgrounds in August for the Perry County fair.
