The 2016 Oak Ridge High School Band Seniors are pictured above. (Photo by McEachern Photography)
The entire Oak Ridge High School Band, and especially the seniors, would like you to attend their final concert today (Thursday, May 26) in the ORHS Performing Arts Auditorium, a press release said.
With the end of class and advanced placement and standardized testing at this time of year, scheduling time with students to prepare a quality concert is always a challenge, the press release said.
“Of course, our seniors have also been making decisions to launch into colleges from California to New York and all over the state of Tennessee—more distraction when it came time to rehearse,” the release said. “But talent will out, and our 28 seniors, the entire band, and band staff are looking forward to entertaining the community with an outstanding and diverse program.”
The evening will open with performances from the Percussion Ensemble, including two senior solos on marimba by Ethan McDaniel and Andrew Gillenwaters.
The Concert and Symphonic Bands have a variety of pieces to share from iconic composer George Gershwin with “The Symphonic Gershwin” to the cutting-edge composer John Mackey’s “Undertow.”
There will be an arrangement of “Disney Spectacular” as well for the fans of all ages.
“Please come and enjoy an hour with the ORHS Band students and their families this Thursday at 7 p.m. for the final—and free—concert of the season,” the press release said. “Financial donations to help students go to Band Camp will be graciously accepted, along with those instruments collecting dust in your closets and attics!”
New to the stage for the final ORHS Band Concert will be a Yamaha bass clarinet purchased via a grant from the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation, or ORPSEF, and fundraising supported by the ORHS Band Boosters.
“Hunter Gray, All State bass clarinetist and first chair Symphonic Band, is the fortunate—and talented—student performing on the instrument with the Symphonic Band at Thursday’s concert,” the press release said.
Jefferson Middle School Band Director Josh Bibbs, also a very talented bass clarinetist, spent several days playing in short intervals to break in the new horn.
Hunter Gray, bass clarinet
“Hunter then happily and carefully took over!” the press release said. As a senior headed to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in occupational or physical therapy, Hunter is also planning to perform with the UT Pride of the Southland Band.
“Thank you to ORPSEF and the ORHS Band Boosters for gifting the ORHS Band with a professional quality instrument which will inspire many students in the future as well as enhance the band program as a whole,” the press release said.
This press release was submitted by Merny Hughey.
Copyright 2016 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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