Dr. Vince Cotter, Colonial School District Superintendent, will give
the opening remarks. The Concert Band, conducted by Mrs. Tonia
Kaufman, will begin the evening with a rousing trumpet fanfare in
“Flourish for Winds.” “Gathering of the Ranks at Hebron” by David
Holsinger will musically depict Hebron, a prominent city in Biblical
history, with active and challenging rhythms and a smooth and melodic
middle section. “Concertino” by Chaminade will feature senior
flutist Julia Campbell who is ranked as one of the top high school
flutists in the state of Pennsylvania. The concert band portion will
end with a fast-paced circus gallop called, “The Big Cage.”
The Honors Chorus will perform “Roots and Wings” by Sherri
Porterfield as a tribute to Dr. Cotter’s retirement. Then the
Chorus, directed by Mrs. Amy LaRue, will continue with an exciting
piece by Brazilian composer Ernani Aguiar called “Salmo 150.”
Students have a strong connection to “Like An Eagle” by Carl Strommen
because this has been a favorite piece for the chorus to perform at
graduation. “Home in D’Rock” by Brian Tate has challenged students to
vocally improvise and uses of djembe accompaniment. The final chorus
song is “And I Will Fly!” by John Conahan, the choral director at
Wissahickon High School. The composition will feature soloists Angel
Sigala and Ronnie Keller, and pianist, Joshua Rosen.
Directed by Mrs. Irene Guerriero, the Orchestra will perform “Russian
Sailor’s Dance,” a fast, fiery dance based on a Russian Folk song
from the ballet the “Red Poppy.” “Lover’s Waltz” by Jay Ungar and
Molly Mason is an original waltz composed in the fiddling style.
“Pavane,” the second movement of the “Capriol Suite,” was composed in
the mid 20th century and fashioned to sound like the music of the
Renaissance. The Honors Orchestra will play “Symphonic Suite from
The Lord of the Rings,” which is based on the The Fellowship of the
Rings movie chapter. The Orchestra will end with an arrangement of
“Jupiter” from “The Planets.” To prepare the orchestra attended a
live performance of the Philadelphia Orchestra performing “The
Planets” where they met the virtuoso violin soloist Gil Shaham during
intermission and had a workshop with members of the orchestra before
the concert. Contrary to popular belief the music from The Planets is
not based upon the planets themselves but rather on the Gods for
which the planets were named. Jupiter is the God of Jollity and this
can clearly be heard in the music.
The concert is free of charge on Thursday, May 19th, at 7:30 pm, in
the PWHS Auditorium.

PHOTOS

Junior Justin Gilbert practices the trombone part to “The Big Cage,”
a fast-paced gallop that the PW Concert Band will perform.

Flutist Kate Sellers, a freshman, plays a challenging passage in the
song “The Gathering of the Ranks at Hebron” by David Holsinger.

Freshman Ethan Trucker plays the baritone saxophone during a PW
Concert Band rehearsal to prepare for the annual Spring Concert.

Senior flutist Julia Campbell works with freshman Alyssa Conner to
smooth out a phrase for the PW Spring Concert. Julia, one of the top
flutists in the state of Pennsylvania, will be the featured soloist
in “Concertino” by Chaminade. Julia and Alyssa are participants in
the new Peer Assistance in Band (PAB) program in which talented
upperclassmen assist the less experience students.