The musical groups of the once-combined spring concert went their separate ways this year to accommodate the expansion of the music program.

Due to the growing numbers of members in the band in the past two years and the incorporation of a combined performance with the middle school students in both band and chorus, the spring concert was split into two parts: the chorus concert on May 12 and the band concert on May 19.

A total of 63 people participated in band last year and 75 this year. The band also had a combined concert with the middle school students, performing the song “As If On Wings.” The band concert included beginning jazz band, concert band and advanced jazz band performances.

Interest in band has increased in the past two years among students. Members of the band hope to expand future audiences.

“Yes (I want more people to come), definitely, because it shows more support for the band and Fine Arts Department,” junior Jessie Buchanan said. “I think we should play more stuff that people like to hear (to get people to come.)”

Next year, the band is projected to have around 90 people in it. Bob Ebert, Fine Arts Department Chairman and the band director, plans to add a second row of chairs in the front of the classroom to accommodate for the growing numbers. Recruiting letters for band were sent out on May 21.

The chorus this year decreased in number, but the show contained a lot more pieces of music. Students said they have improved due to the decrease in number.

“We actually have gotten better because with a smaller group you can work on more challenging things and it’s more like a family,” said Cecily Bednarek, president of the advanced choir.

A total of 25 middle schoolers are moving into the advanced choir and there will be total of 60 people in the mixed choir next year.

“The numbers from the middle school are huge,” said Cezette Barnes, the choral director. “I teach at the middle school (and here) and can make sure they come over here.”

Due to these growing numbers, Barnes plans to order new robes and new risers for the chorus room. The mixed chorus uses dresses as their formal attire. Barnes plans to switch both the mixed and advanced choirs to robes only, since fitting the mixed chorus to formal dresses may become too difficult.

Next year, Barnes plans to expand the chorus by incorporating it into more competitions and community performances. A fall competition has already been tentatively planned for the advanced choir, along with the annual spring Busch Gardens trip, where they compete against other high schools.

The chorus also sold CDs and DVDs from this past performance at the Fine Arts Award Ceremony on May 27.

The CD includes the track involving the middle school students. Students in both band and chorus had mixed feelings about the combination of the middle and high school students.

“I didn’t really like it because it’s our concert,” Bednarek said.

Buchanan took the optimism route with the middle school students.

She said, “I think it’s kind of cool because it shows them what they’re coming into next year.”

Barnes and Ebert said the purpose of including the middle school students was to give them the experience on the high school stage and to add a sense of community to the program.

“The change in the schedule for the spring concert this year was experimental,” said Barnes.

“Two separate concerts allowed more time for each group to sing more literature and showcase individual talents. Next year, we will make adjustments and modify the concert schedule to better suit the needs of our high school students.”