Article by G. Dixon
Published on January 14, 2019.

On Thursday, December 13th the Cab Calloway Middle School had their 2018 Winter Concert. The concert consisted of the Concert Band, the Jazz Band, then the Symphonic Band. For most of the Concert Band members, it would be their first time on stage. They blew the crowd away with their four pieces, “Angels We Have Heard On High”, “Contredanse”, “Ancient Carol”, and finishing with “Cartoon Christmas”. Their Christmas spirit brought cheer to all of our faces.

After the Concert Band was the Jazz Band. They started off with “Holiday Joy” with an exceptional solo by trumpeter Daniel L. After that they played “Ye Jazzy Gentlemen” that gave a jazzy flair to Christmas. The third song was an arrangement of “Deck the Halls” with an amazing tenor sax solo by Benjamin N. The Jazz Band finished their portion of the concert with “A Charlie Brown Christmas” with solos by pianist Ajay M., trombonist Marissa J. and saxophonist Adhira A. This song reminded many parents of when they were kids watching the Charlie Brown Christmas Special.

The concert was rounded out with the Symphonic Band who started their portion of the concert with four songs about cultural and historical events in the world. Those pieces were “What a Wonderful World” with a solo by Adhira A., followed by “Hatikvah”, “Overcome”, and “The Girl From Ipanema”. The band also played “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” that included parts from “I’ve got the Golden Ticket”, “Pure Imagination”, “Oompa Loompa”, and “The Candy Man”. The band ended the concert with three Christmas songs including “Sweet Little Manger Child” with solo by mallet player Nathan R., “This Christmas” with solo by saxophonist Adhira A., and the band favorite “We Wish You a Mambo Christmas” with spectacular solos by bass clarinet player Gianna D., pianist Ajay M., trumpeter Solomon S., and piccolo player Vilina A.

The 2018 Middle School Band Concert was enjoyable to all involved and put bright smiles on the crowd’s faces.