Band

On December 3rd, the Hernando Concert Band and Symphonic Band performed for friends and family to get into the Christmas spirit. Both bands have been working on these songs since November 6th. Each band started learning another set of music for the concert festival later in the spring, while still working on Christmas songs. Originally, these Christmas concerts were performed during the fourth block for the other band as a way to show their improvement and work after the marching season ended. Now, the concert is being held on a larger scale and will be performed for all who want to attend.

Concert Band directed by Mr. Harris

In the photo above, The Concert Band began the Christmas Concert. Under the direction of assistant director Mr. Harris, they played Santa’s Spring Break arranged by Larry Clark. Santa’s Spring Break is a mash-up piece of popular Christmas songs like Jolly Old St. Nick, Up on the Housetop, Joy to the World, and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen; as well as other well-known pieces like Spring from The Seasons, and Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah. After this fun upbeat song, the concert band switched pace and played White Christmas arranged by Michael Sweeney. A classic slower piece to wrap up their part of the concert in a pretty sounding way.

Symphonic Band directed by Mr. Quinnelly

After the Concert Band was finished with their performance, the Symphonic Band, under the direction of assistant director Mr. Quinnelly, began to set up for their portion of the night. Beginning with a slow piece, Angels in the Bleak Midwinter arranged by Larry Clark, the members of this band started their portion on a sweet note. This piece is a medley of Angels We Have Heard on High by James Chadwick and In the Bleak Midwinter by Gustav Holst.  Moving the tempo up with their next piece, the Symphonic Band played a rendition of Carol of the Bells. Ukrainian Bell Carol arranged by Richard Saucedo is a fun play on Carol of the Bells with a bit of Jingle Bells mixed into it. Wrapping up the concert with a fun take on a holiday favorite.

Choir

The HHS Tenor & Bass choir performed alongside the middle school and OGCE choirs on December 12th. The concert began with an ensemble of 9 boys that performed Jingle Bells arranged by J Pierpont and Superstition arranged by Paul Langford. Maddox Burgio wowed the crowd when he performed his solo in Superstition. Mr. Beech took the stage after these boys had finished and explained that both of these pieces were self-taught by the ensemble. The middle school girls performed A Pentatonix Christmas arranged by Mark Brymer. The girls were very high-energy and showed off great talent with their 3 different soloists; Avery Glynn, Olivia Burke, and Ella Woods. The middle school boys were next and performed with all of the HHS Tenor & Bass Choir. They performed Carol of the Bells arranged by Kirby Shaw, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and The Holiday Tango arranged by Greg Gilpin.