Usually when you hear the words, “band concert” you think of “Ugh, why must we sit through this?” But you’ll think twice when you hear the OJHS band play your favorite holiday tunes, such as “Carol of the Bells”, “Sleigh Ride,” and many other songs at their annual Christmas concert held on December 11th, 2008.
After a quick warm-up session, the Intermediate Band, led by Mr. Larry Lashley, started off their portion of the concert with “Winter Medley”, followed by “African Noel” and finally, “Up on the Housetop”. The Intermediate Band performed well for their first concert this year. I give them two thumbs up!
Next up was the Advanced Band, led by Mr. Ernest Moran, made up of eighth graders and one seventh grader. They performed “Christmas Bits and Pieces”, which was many different songs mixed into one and “Christmas Fantasy”. Then the brass quartet, made up of Katelyn Lirette and Timothy McMahan on the trumpet, Derek Dozier on the trombone, and Mr. Moran on the euphonium, performed a short medley of Christmas favorites, “The First Noel”, “O Come All Ye Faithful”, “Deck the Halls”, and “Joy to the World”.
Finally, to end the concert, the advanced band played one more Christmas favorite, “Carol of the Bells”, and earned applause from every parent, grandparent, student, teacher, and family member in the auditorium. All in all, the band department did a wonderful job! You impressed this reporter!