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Somers Central students perform spring concert featuring jazz, guitar and film selections
Summary
Students and staff of the Somers Central School District presented a spring concert that showcased jazz, a guitar ensemble and concert band selections, recognized graduating senior musicians and featured guest percussionists.
Terry Reynolds, director of bands for the Somers Central School District, opened the spring concert by welcoming the audience and introducing a program that ranged from Miles Davis tunes to contemporary pop and film music.
The program showcased the district's jazz band, guitar ensemble and combined concert and symphony bands. Senior musicians were recognized near the close of the program, and the performance included guest percussionists and student soloists across sections.
The concert began with the jazz band performing a selection from Miles Davis' Kind of Blue. "We are so thrilled to have you," Reynolds said as he introduced the evening. The guitar ensemble followed, and the program later included a performance of "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls and a medley of Stevie Wonder songs. The concert closed with selections from the film La La Land performed by the combined bands.
Mike Maino, introduced in the program as "director of Frederick Law," thanked the students and noted the variety of musical backgrounds in the guitar ensemble, saying, "I just really had a great time working with you this year. I appreciate all your hard work." Several student soloists were highlighted during pieces: James Marielo and Tyler Phillips were featured on a Miles Davis blues number; Elaine Kasmir performed a piano solo on a trombone-featured tune; and Michael Abrams was cited in program notes for guitar transcriptions and solos.
The band program also brought in three guest percussionists for a percussion-heavy piece, named in the program as Elena Cashmere, Jake Kandel and Viola Mentor. Seniors named during recognition included Michael Abrams, Jonathan Badwell and others who were acknowledged for their contributions to the program.
Program notes read to the audience included brief histories of selections (for example, a description of Miles Davis' Kind of Blue and references to chart and award history for other songs) and occasional production notes about set changes between groups. Near the end of the program, staff announced the district's upcoming Stringstravaganza, inviting the audience to attend the district-wide strings concert the following Tuesday.
The evening was presented as a community showcase of student musicianship, with staff and guests joining students on stage for several pieces. No formal motions, votes or policy actions were discussed during the performance.
