Concerts mark end of school year

Alexis Barker
NLJ Reporter
 
Music lovers of all ages will have two opportunities next week to enjoy the musical stylings of Newcastle’s high school and middle school bands and choirs. 
On May 13, the choirs from both schools will take the stage in the Crouch Auditorium, performing several lively tunes. 
“The sixth-grade choir will begin the concert with several catchy tunes, including ‘I Can, Can!’ by Stephen L. Lawrence. The seventh-grade choir will take the stage next with three selections, including one from ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ entitled ‘Jabba Flow,’ arranged by Roger Emerson,” Ellis said. “Concluding the middle school portion of the concert will be the eighth-grade choir with several classics, one of which is The Beatles’ ‘Octopus’s Garden.’”
After the middle school performances, the high school choir will perform songs such as “In Remembrance,” by Jeffery L. Ames, and the One Republic hit “I Lived,” which is arranged by Deke Sharon. Ellis said that Sharon was able to work with several high school students who went to New York earlier this year. 
“The choirs will join to conclude the evening with ‘Music Changes the World,’ by Jim Papoulis,” she said.
The next evening the festivities will continue with the instrumental portion of the spring concerts when bands from both the high school and middle school, with the fifth-grade band as a special guest, will be on the stage. 
“The sixth-grade choir will begin the concert with three selections, one of which is the theme from ‘Jurassic Park,’ arranged by Michael Sweeney. Following the sixth-grade band, the seventh-grade band will begin their performance with three more pieces. A favorite of the band is ‘Legend of the Water Dragon,’ by Edward Kennedy,” Ellis said. “The eighth-grade band will take the stage next with a carnival-inspired program, which will include ‘Carousel,’ by Hugh M. Stuart.” 
This year’s fifth-grade band will play numerous selections, which will leave you whistling a tune, Ellis said. 
To close out the evening, the high school band will perform four different selections, including an arrangement of “Lock Lomond,” by Frank Ticheli. 
“The high school band will conclude their portion of the concert with a hit by Walk the Moon, ‘Shut Up and Dance,’” Ellis said. “The middle and high school bands will combine to conclude the evening with ‘Fanfare on a Theme of Imagination,’ by Brian Balmages.”
Both Ellis and band instructor Ryan Whipple hope the community will join them May 13-14 in supporting local music enthusiasts in their cumulative concert, beginning at 7 p.m. both evenings in the Crouch Auditorium.