Music for all

Students to perform at concerts

As the school year winds to an end, the Newcastle Middle School and High School bands and choirs are preparing to share what they have learned throughout the year by inviting audiences to enjoy Disney favorites and other big-screen melodies at their spring concerts on May 13 and 14.

“Each of the middle school choirs will perform three selections from Disney movies. The high school choir has five Disney songs to showcase,” said Ryan Whipple, band and choir instructor. “The concert will conclude with a medley from “The Lion King,” featuring all the choir students in grades 6-12.”

The next evening, band students in grades five to 12 will take the stage in Crouch Auditorium.

“This concert will begin with the sixth grade band playing three selections from popular movies. The seventh and eighth grades combined band will take the stage second with three more movie theme selections,” Whipple said.

The beginning band of fifth graders will then showcase the music they have been working on throughout the year, he said.
The performance will include several selections from their method book, each of which gets progressively harder.

“We will conclude the concert with the high school band performing four selections, each containing several selections from popular movies,” Whipple said.

According to Whipple, participating in choir and band provides students the challenge of working with each other to create the final production for the community.

“Each individual in the ensemble has a unique set of skills, but it is when they are combined as a whole group that a harmonious performance is possible,” Whipple said. “While sports teams also teach students the importance of teamwork and collaboration, musicians have to perform at a higher level to make the whole ensemble sound good.”

Performing in the concerts, he said, also helps students to gain confidence.

“The thought of getting on stage in front of several hundred people can be terrifying,” Whipple said. “When the students hear the applause from the audience, this helps them with self-esteem and confidence. This new confidence can transfer to other parts of the students’ lives by encouraging them to take steps towards achieving new challenges.”

The middle school and high school choirs will take the stage at 7 p.m. on May 13. The next evening the bands will take the stage at the same time. Both concerts are open to the public.