This past weekend, the Cal High Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Bands, and Orchestra presented a concert for the community at the Vic Lopez Auditorium. As people were taking their seats, backstage, the musicians were getting ready for their performances.
Blue Jazz Band started the concert with “Everyday I Have The Blues” by Duke Ellington, featuring an amazing vocalist from Cal High’s Choir: Megan Pineda. From those amazing, intense swing melodies to a very well-known song, capturing the audience, a rendition of “Blackbird” by John Lennon/Paul McCartney. Lastly, they played “Tiger Of San Pedro” by John La Barbera with its Latin tunes and melodies, and it was the most popular among the audience.
Gold Jazz Band, the top Jazz group at Cal High, also played an incredible set. That started with “Caravan” by Duke Ellington, you may have heard it in the popular movie Whiplash, with its complex rhythms, which were played wonderfully by the band. Next on the set was “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” by Duke Ellington and Bob Russell, a jazz standard. The playing of the band gave a fantastic jazz club ambience. Last on the set was “Sing Sang Sung” by Gordon Goodwin, a high-energy chart made in homage to the swing era, which was captured impressively by the musicians. From these swing jazz sets by the jazz bands, there was a transition to classical music in our Orchestra’s performance.
“Joyous Celebration” by Scott Watkins was played first and started the set with energy because of its bright and joyful melodies. The orchestra conveyed those emotions perfectly. Next was another popular song, “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay, which echoed through the hall, making you feel the music in your heart, in a beautiful transition to “Angel’s Steps” by Yukiko Nishimura, made for young musicians. The orchestra played the lovely harmonies with passion. From music pieces meant to invoke a feeling to a nostalgic score, “Pirates of the Caribbean” by Klaus Baldelt, it was apparent from the audience that they enjoyed the song from their applause. After listening to all the amazing groups, it would have left you satisfied. From swing jazz to orchestral melodic tunes, but it wasn’t over. A quick intermission, the Wind Ensemble took the stage.
To another switch in sound, the Wind Ensemble was a more layered sound with more variety of instruments. With a bold and energetic piece, “Invicta” by James Swearingen, they used their skills of emphasizing the dramatic melodies to capture the audience. The musicians continued pouring emotion into the music; “In Heaven’s Air” by Samuel Hazo, which is a piece about letting go of a loved one. The theme of the piece expressed a bittersweet feeling that echoed in the auditorium. From music that energizes you, to one that gives a bittersweet feeling, from the top band group to the whole band: Concert Band.
The Concert Band, being the final performance of the night, did not disappoint. “The Cave You Fear” by Michael Markowski is a music piece that conveys the feeling of facing your fears and the ups and downs of doing so. The musicians used their skills to tell that story with dynamic contrast and intense melodies. The music progresses, and you can hear the moment the fear is conquered. From the intense and achieving piece, to another amazing piece, “Adagio” By Samuel Barber, with its high register harmonies and slow rhythms, was executed amazingly by the band. Then for the finale, they played their best-performed piece, “Halcyan Hearts” By Katahj Copley. The musicians played the melodies extraordinarily well; they showed the warm, loving, and passionate themes fulfilling the composer’s vision.
The passion and dedication were shown on the stage that night from the Jazz Band with the intense swing and Latin charts to meaningful and emotional themes from the orchestra and bands that could bring people to tears. The performance showed the importance of music in bringing people together.