By LUCIA QUESADA NYLEN & SUMYA MOHIUDDIN
On May 30, 2013 the Malden High School concert band held their annual Spring Concert in order to display another year of hard work and achievement. The first section of the show included the percussion ensemble, pop ensemble, jazz band. After the intermission, the concert band and winter color guard team took the stage. This was the first year that the band was able to assemble a jazz band, which proved to be the highlight of the night.
The concert opened with a drum solo performed by juniors Jorge Allende and Jason Barsadi, who creatively incorporated a studio mix. Following this was a snare solo done by junior Sal Cherone, followed by junior Anthony Torres and his tenor solo to “Butterfingers”. Lastly was “Joy” performed by the percussion ensemble, consisting of marimbas, vibraphones, and xylophones.
Following the percussion ensemble was the Pop Ensemble which consisted of the beginners that first started in the band this year. Their performance included pieces from “Proud Mary” by Creedance Clearwater Revival, “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz, and “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson. The beginner band included several guitarists, four pianists, and various marimbists.
As for the jazz band, they performed three pieces, including “Jam Session”, “Los Suertes de Los Tontos” by Stan Kenton, and “Sing, Sing, Sing” by Benny Goodman.
Solos were performed by senior Jason Aviles, junior Jared Adelman, Gabriel Micheli, senior Vinny Cardoso, sophomore Blue and Gold member James Mazarakis, and junior Joshua Nattal.
After the intermission, the crowd was ready for the second part of the show, which featured the Concert Band. It began with a composition that had a mix of different Disney songs, including “Under The Sea” from the Little Mermaid, “Beauty and the Beast” from the namesake film Beauty and the Beast, and “Friend Like Me” from Aladdin, but the Concert Band started to perform whole songs that the crowd devoured.
The seniors took a moment out of the performance to thank Tavares for his utmost dedication and resilience. The crowd, as well as the performers, were feeling anxious to see what the present contained, and to everyone’s surprise, it was a toaster oven. Another smaller gift contained a Keurig K-cup pack of coffee.
After a few more songs, Tavares took time to recognize the seniors in Concert Band, as well as the alumni who were once a part of the love and unity that was shown in those few minutes. The seniors will be missed, but future officers will take great care of the Concert Band.
