ORHS concert to feature JazzKats, Concert Band, Symphonic Band

Posted at 11:00 am April 19, 2016
By Merny Hughey Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge High School 2015-16 All East Students are pictured above. (Submitted photo)

A Thursday night concert at Oak Ridge High School will feature award-winning ORHS groups performing in the community for the first time since Christmas.

Among the recent honors: The Oak Ridge High School Band placed 21 students through auditions into the ETSBOA All East Honors Bands. ETSBOA is the East Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association.

A couple of the ORHS students were actually chosen on two different instruments, a press release said. Two in the group, Ryan Armstrong and Thomas Colburn, earned seats in All State as well.

“These outstanding students, along with the entire Symphonic and Concert Bands, also earned a superior rating (all 1s in performance and sight reading) at the State Concert Festival under the direction of Spence Milligan and Mike Spirko,” the press release said.

Now, the ORHS Band students and directors have invited the community to enjoy a diverse program of music on Thursday, April 21. A sample of some of the evening’s performances include Director Mike Spirko with the JazzKats opening on “Come Out Swingin’,” followed by the Concert Band performing “West Side Story.”

Director Spence Milligan will bring the Symphonic Band to the stage on “The Mad Major”—a favorite march of Steve “Doc” Combs, former ORHS Band director, according to Community Band Director Dale Pendley.

Due to weather and scheduling, the February concert was canceled, so this will be the first opportunity for the community to enjoy the award-winning groups since Christmas, the press release said.

The Thursday concert starts at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Auditorium at ORHS. Admission is $3 general and $1 student and senior (your call!), the release said.

Merny Hughey is ORHS Band TA.

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