The Chestermere High School Concert Band gave a stellar performance at their yearend concert held for the first time under the Pavilion at John Peak Park, led by dedicated band instructor Lael Johnston or Mr. “J” as affectionately known to his students.
A full repertoire of music delighted the family and friends of band members last Thursday as well as surprised passersby who had the luck of being in the right place at the right time.
Many fans came to the event armed with lawn chairs, blankets and picnic lunches to hear the band’s one and a half hour performance. Mother Nature was in full cooperation with a warm and sunny night with the band members having to outwit her occasional wind gusts that played havoc with sheet music.
The evening started off with music from the movies with a rich and full performance from Jurassic Park. Next came a number from the Broadway musical The Lion King which was especially poignant to the students as it was a piece they had the opportunity to work on with conductors from the actual Broadway Show during their recent New York Trip.
A change of direction took the audience back to the 70’s rock era with a medley of Led Zeppelin tunes that flowed seamlessly from one song to the next. Oddly enough this set with a high level of playing difficulty seemed especially suited to concert band arrangement. Clever solo pieces replaced Robert Plant’s lead voice, such as the alto sax lines played by Jasmine Fasoli in “Black Dog.”
Up next was the smaller Drum Line, a relatively new avenue for the high school band members which stirred the now warmed audience. These pieces played with precision were enjoyable in their novelty and rhythm.
Next to take the stage was the fun and smaller jazz band group lightening the atmosphere with the ever popular Van Morrison tune “Brown Eyed Girl” followed by an upbeat version of “Bye Bye Blackbird”. The last song of this set was “Dog Eat Dog”, a cool jazz piece written by Nigerian activist Fela Kuti and further energized with some scat style singing.
Rounding up the show was a return of the entire band performing 2 classic pieces including Mozart’s Abduction From the Seraglio and the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky complete with real explosive flair. The selection Dream Variants by modern day composer Roland Barrett took the audience along the undulating adventure of dreamscape.
The yearend performance is always a happy and sad time for both students and teachers and for Johnston it is no exception to having to say goodbye to the Grade 12 class that have been under his wing for 4 years now as they were the last class to join the high school at a grade 9 level. The kids have come a long way since the beginning years of playing such classics as “Hot Cross Buns”.
There are exciting plans in the works for the next school year. The Band and Art Department will be travelling together to Japan in this once of a lifetime experience.
It was a wonderful evening of entertainment by these talented students and it surely will be something to look forward to again. Hope to see you all at the Park next year.
