Making melodies: merry musicians hit noteable notes

Lizzie Catrambone, Reporter

This month of December is packed with performances from musicians in the band, orchestra, and the chorus.  Countless hours have been spent preparing and perfecting the songs to be played and sung on the day of the concerts.

    The orchestra, led by Mr. Mark Heinly, has spent all of the classes leading up to the concert to get the music down and flawless.  However, this is not the only time the orchestra has to prepare.  They are required to practice for two hours each week, so they are able to play the music perfectly, come concert time.  Junior Anna Racine says that she should be “able to play the music really easily during the concert.”  All that time practicing looks like it’s going to pay off, as Racine also says, “I think it’s going to go pretty well this year!”  According to other orchestra members, the music is also a big hit, with it’s energetic and Christmas tunes.   

    While the orchestra was busy preparing for their holiday concerts, the band has also spent the months preparing for something they haven’t done in a long time, the Bel Air Parade.  This year, the band was chosen to play and march in the Bel Air Christmas parade, that took place on Saturday, December second.

    Before marching band season even came to a close, the band started preparing for their Christmas festivities.  “We started preparing in the summer during Band Camp.  That’s when the band started working on our basic marching technique,” says band director Mr. Wojciechowski.  As the event came closer they further prepared by spending two weeks in class practicing the music they were to play in the parade.  The band played shortened versions of three songs: Joy to the World, Good King Wenceslas and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.  For the two classes before the parade, the band practiced the songs outside, while marching in circles in the parking lot, which, as junior Hayley Welzant puts it, “wasn’t very thrilling.”  Although it may have been cold, the band still had a fun time.

    Leading up to the performance, however, the whole band was very excited.  People were rushing around, trying to decorate themselves with Santa hats and Christmas bows for their uniforms. Members of the band said they had fun and enjoyed the experience, and each section of the band decorated their instruments as well. Overall, the band thoroughly enjoyed their experience in the parade, and junior Bryanna Boegner believes that they “were good for our first parade!”  

    While the band and orchestra busy themselves preparing their instruments, the chorus has been preparing their voices.  “The choirs have been working hard on this concert since late October after our Broadway concert,” says choir director Ms. Jones.  The men’s and women’s choir both have their own challenging pieces, but combined they will sing Gloria and Do They Know It’s Christmas.  The chorus will perform these songs on Monday, December 18th, where they will dazzle the crowd with their voices.