The band and choir concert that took place on March 11, 2025 was more than a performance. It was a chance for the students to display their ability and show what they  learned. It was the perfect opportunity for students to showcase their skills. It was also exciting because their performance contained nine pieces, some in different languages and different time signatures. 

“I picked nine choral pieces for the concert and I picked them based on difficulty and based on what I thought the students would like for the concerts,” choir teacher Abbe Lane said. “I try to get a variety of songs in tempos, different languages, and different time signatures. I think they did a really nice job learning the nine pieces.” 

The concert also has an impact on the students’ grades. 

“The students get graded on their participation in the concert and their preparation leading up to it. So they have to do a voice lesson in preparation for it and then they have to show up to the concert and do it,” Lane said. 

Freshman Lane Burgess performed his first concert in high school in both choir and band. It is an exciting moment for this student that enjoys performing. Even though it brings a lot of challenges, he keeps good memories from it.

“I think it’s pretty fun because there are a variety of different songs,” Burgess said. “Working together with the band and choir and going back and forth is probably the most challenging part.” 

The pieces chosen by the directors were selected to challenge the students and give them the opportunity to work and grow thanks to complicated pieces. However, performing all of those pieces in front of people sometimes makes the performance a little bit stressful when it’s new. But, students know how to make it work. 

“I think the pressure makes it a little bit more fun,” sophomore Gwendolyn Bruce-DeMuri said. “I started playing an instrument at the beginning of this year and I think just getting used to that was kind of a challenge.”