The sounds of trumpets, clarinets and drums reverberated through Jasper’s Junior/Senior High School during the band’s final concert of the school year, June 3.
The junior ensemble kicked things off with “Cups”, the fun-loving song made famous by Hollywood’s Pitch Perfect.
The band followed this with a five-part rendition of “Suite” from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and finished strong with the song “Encanto” by American composer Robert W. Smith.
“I’m at a loss for words for the sheer passion that these kids bring to this music,” said Jonathan Thornton, the conductor and band teacher.
“It’s notes on a page, but they are the ones that put the heart and soul into it and I couldn’t be prouder.”
During the final concert, the school handed out more than a dozen awards to recognize students’ achievements throughout the year.
Following the awards, the senior band took over, first playing in small ensembles and then together as an entire band.
The band played songs such as “Let It Go” from Disney’s Frozen and finished the night with “The Blues Brothers Rescue”, which they picked themselves.
“I try and give the kids input in the songs they play,” said Thornton. “So I’ll chose some of the music based on what they’ll learn [from it] and they chose some based on what they like and what they know.”
Paul Clarke
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