Clifton Ridge Middle School hosted its annual spring band concert, showcasing the talents of the sixth grade beginning band alongside the seventh and eighth-grade concert band.
Family, friends, teachers, and administrators attended the May 8 performances in the CRMS gymnasium, concluding a fantastic year of music-making and marking the final concert for the eighth-grade students as they transition from middle to high school, as noted by band teacher Lori Johnson.
The beginning band performed four pieces: “Conquest” by Brian Balmages, “Early Bird March” by Mark Williams, “Mechanical Monster” by Randall Standridge, and “Let’s Go Band” by Andrew Balent.
Two students, clarinet player Farrah Salp and trombone player Raegen Griffith, also showcased a duet titled “A Shepherd’s Tune.”
Sixth-grade tuba players Elizabeth Dominguez and Jordan Hamm shared their thoughts on their first year in band.
“In my opinion, I don’t think band is just a group of people who play instruments. It’s a big family making harmonies and melodies,” Dominguez said.
“I joined the band because of the fun, energy, and craziness of the band room,” Hamm said.
The concert band also performed four pieces: “El Pato Loco” by William Owens, “Dark Adventure” by Ralph Ford, “Fair Shake” by Timothy Loest, and “Furioso” by Robert W. Smith.
Student Gabrielle Bishop delivered a solo performance of “Amazing Grace” on the glockenspiel, while tuba player Anslee Herron performed “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”
Clarinetists Lillian Nasworthy and Cayleigh Shinn, along with flutist Carmen Valasquez, played a trio of “We Shall Overcome.”
Herron enjoyed her last year in the CRMS band.
“Band is fun; you meet a lot of people and become friends with them. I love music, and the spring concerts are so fun,” she said.
Bishop said solos can be hard to play in front of everyone.
“If you have confidence and believe in yourself, you can do it. After three years of playing, I finally had the courage to play by myself. Band is fun when you have the passion, and when your friends are there too,” she said.
The band teacher noted the growth and dedication of the CRMS band in creating music for the public’s enjoyment.
“I’m so proud of how hard my students have worked this year. I’ve seen so much growth—not just musically, but personally, too. Several students really stepped out of their comfort zones, whether it was playing a solo or speaking on the microphone. It’s been inspiring to watch them overcome challenges and shine on stage,” Johnson said.
