Over the last few weeks the district concerts for band, orchestra, and chorus were held. This was when students from places all over town, such as FMS, MHS, and the Morris Plains Borough school, came together to perform music for parents and each other. I interviewed some of the music directors involved for their take.
The first concert was the Bands of Morris Concert.
First up was Mr. Beadle who conducted the eighth grade band.
Falcon Press: What was your favorite song of the whole concert?
Mr. Beadle: “Wicked Medley” because it was all 8th through 12 graders from FMS, Borough, and MHS.
FP: Were you nervous about any songs? If so, how did it go?
MB: Not for this concert. Everyone was ready.
FP: What was your favorite part of the concert?
MB: Seeing and hearing everyone on stage playing together. Almost 250 students!
FP: What is something you wish had gone better?
MB: If we limited all the bands to one song, it would have
gone quicker. Pacing is important when concerts have a lot of different performing groups.
FP: What were your overall impressions?
MB: Really, the most important concert, for the kids and parents. Best showcase for the entire year! It gets better each year.
Next, I also interviewed Mr. Ocasio, who is the director of the Wind Symphony. The Wind Symphony is an after-school audition group made up of 6th through 8th graders.
Falcon Press: What was your favorite song of the whole concert?
Mr. Ocasio: “Tangents Angular” by Roland Barrett. I really enjoyed Arthur’s solo (on the flugelhorn), and thought their performance really highlighted the great things that the MHS symphonic band is accomplishing in recent years.
FP: Were you nervous about any songs? If so, how did it go?
MO: I was a little anxious about the Wind Symphony because the 6th and 7th graders could not practice with the Morris Plains Borough School and MHS symphonic bands. But after so many years of concerts, I don’t really get nervous anymore!
FP: What was your favorite part of the concert?
Mo: I love seeing how much our past students have grown as musicians now at the high school.
FP: What is something you wish had gone better?
MO: Everything went really well. It couldn’t have gone any better than it did.
The next concert was the District Orchestra Concert, and this is how Ms. Tomblin said it went.
Falcon Press: What was your favorite song of the whole concert?
Ms. Tomblin: High school “Dvorak symphony no. 8.” It was very well prepared. Good arrangement!
FP: Were you nervous about any songs? If so, how did it go?
MT: I was nervous about the transitions between songs. They went smoothly, though!
FP: What was your favorite part of the concert?
MT: The end had really good energy. The song was “Thriller” by Michel Jackson.
FP: What is something you wish had gone better?
MT: I wish there had been more rehearsal time.
The final concert was The District Chorus Concert, and this is what Ms. Erlenborn had to say about it.
Falcon Press: What was your favorite song of the whole concert?
Ms. Erlenborn: “I Sing Because I’m Happy” because it is so cool when we sing it all together, and it is a tradition piece.
FP: Were you nervous about any songs? If so, how did it go?
ME: I felt like this was a well prepared concert, so we knew what to watch out for in terms of trouble spots. I wasn’t really nervous about anything in particular!
FP: What was your favorite part of the concert?
ME: “Draw the Circle Wide”, because I got to conduct the FMS and MHS students! It was cool to conduct both my current and former students.
FP: What is something you wish had gone better?
ME: In any concert, there is always something happening in the audience that disrupts the performance. If I could change that, I would, but it is hard to control those kinds of things.
FP: What are your thoughts about the concert overall?
ME: There was a good mix of different kinds of songs! I enjoyed playing percussion/shekere for the high school. It was very fun. The whole concert was a really good time! I’m very proud of the students! It was a good way to send kids off into Spring Break.
In conclusion, the goal of these concerts was to inspire the younger kids, and show them what they can become, which was accomplished. Will you perform in or check out our district concerts next year?
