ORHS Concert band to perform at Civic Center Amphitheater

The Oak Ridge High School Concert Band will perform on stage in public for the first time this year Thursday evening.

The concert is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 20, in the Amphitheater at the Oak Ridge Civic Center. The concert will move to Oak Ridge High School if if necessary because of rain.

“The students have been rehearsing and performing virtually from the ORHS Performing Arts Center auditorium seats since December!” a press release said.

The band’s “Jazz Journey: 1941” halftime music during football season along with the virtual Christmas and winter concerts have kept the group strong musically, and they are looking forward to entertaining their families and the community with that talent for their final concert performance this year, the press release said.

Band Director Michael Spirko will lead the JazzKats in the “dinner set” as they warm up the crowd. The award-winning ORHS Percussion Ensemble under Sean Rutherford, assistant band director, will take the stage next. Percussion will also be featured when the Concert Band performs John Mackey’s “Foundry,” a piece with “found percussion,” much of it metallic (bowls, scrap metal), which ends up sounding like a steel factory, the press release said.

Spirko has also prepared a couple of other great pieces to share, and he, along with the 26 seniors, would appreciate your attendance, the press release said.

“Don’t forget to dig out those instruments collecting dust in your closets and attics to donate to the ongoing Instrument Drive for the program!” the release said. “Bring your chairs/blankets and dinner/drink to the park and enjoy a free evening of live music with your ORHS WildBand in concert.”