(Upper School Band/Lauren G.)

Families packed the Jones Gym on Thursday, November 17 at 7 p.m. as over 150 students from the 7th, 8th, and upper school bands filed in to take their seats. Led by Ms. Sneeringer and Ms. O’Rourke, the 7th grade band opened with John Edmonson’s “Harrowgate Festival” then Randall Standridge’s “Blue Sky Horizon” which was dedicated to anyone living with mental health challenges and ended with John O’Reilly’s “African Alleluia”(Wana Baraka). Ms. Sneeringer praised this group’s progress for its first year of playing. As the group left the stage, the 8th graders approached their seats. 

The 8th graders opened with Jay Bocook’s “Shackelford Banks” before rendering a more solemn piece, Randall Standridge’s “Fragile,” and closed with a fan favorite, Frank Ticheli’s “Abracadabra” which featured Maryam S. and Julia M. on the flute. 

Finally, the Upper School band played its first piece, Katahj Copley’s “Halcyon Hearts.”

Academy dedicated Frank Ticheli’s “Shenandoah” to the three Tuscarawas band students and three three adults who were victims of the 1-70 crash (on their way to a competition.) on November 15.  

Solos in Ticheli’s piece included Lucy I. on the alto saxophone, Ridah A. on the horn, and Tanner S. on the trumpet. 

The Upper Schoolers concluded the night with  Jim Swearingen’s “In All Its Glory” and featured Carolina M. on the Euphonium.