Wrangell High School's regular ensemble is joined by members of the jazz band April 23, playing a collection of vibrant, percussive pieces from the former Yugoslavia. The concert was held for parents and supporters at the school following the music program's return from Southeast Music Fest in Juneau.
Parents and other supporters of the arts came to the high school commons on April 23 to give Wrangell High School's music students the chance to reprise their award-winning performance in Juneau earlier in the week.
The band earned three "superior" ratings from adjudicators at this year's Southeast Music Fest, a competition involving the bands and choirs from schools around the region.
"This is the first time in the seven years I've been here that the band earned the score of three superiors," said the music program director, Tasha Morse.
A panel of three judges rated the group's performance, gauging elements such as wind, balance and intonation. Judges factor in other elements, such as the size of competing schools, before awarding a score.
Morse explained it is usual for scores to be accompanied by comments, pointing out areas for improvement. When "superior" is awarded, it means the adjudicators felt the performance was near enough to perfection not to warrant comment.
Wrangell's jazz band was also awarded one superior ranking for its performance.
"They did a really fantastic job out there," Morse said. "We were really, really proud of this small group."
Morse said she challenged her jazz performers with more complex pieces this year, such as "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" by Duke Ellington and "Blues Bari Pie." Students were encouraged to interpret the pieces for themselves, which can be a daunting break from form at first.
"I really pulled them out of their comfort zones this year," she said, adding that she felt very proud of how they've done.
During the encore concert in Wrangell there were several solo performances from choir members and mixed numbers adding jazz percussionists to the regular band. The music programmers looked sharp as well, wearing new uniforms provided by the school this year.
"It's been many, many years since we've had new uniforms," Morse said. She explained that the new apparel helps the students as well, boosting confidence and positively affecting their play.
She expressed her thanks to the community for its support and to Alice Rooney for her accompaniment on the piano and her role as a chaperone.
"We're a small program and every voice counts, every instrument counts," Morse said.
The program has one more concert for the academic year, its "Spring Pops," at the high school gym on Monday at 7 p.m. The performance will feature music from fifth graders through high school seniors, with some combined groups.
"It should be a lot of fun. The middle schoolers have been working very hard on their music," Morse said. The concert will be free and open to the
public.
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