The band and choir programs host their first performance together since the Covid-19 induced break last spring. 

“We typically have a fall and winter concert, but because of Covid-19 we did not have a concert at all last year,” choir instructor and French teacher Ashly Thomas explained. “And so, since we didn’t have a concert at all last year, I wanted to give the kids a little bit more time to practice and get ready for the concert.” 

To give kids more time to practice for the holiday concert, Thomas cancelled the fall concert to practice concert etiquette and the songs they performed. For many students, this was the first concert they performed, especially in front of a large crowd. 

“I think the experience was very exciting to lots of new people across band and choir, especially considering that our latest concert was the first concert that had the most people,” Sophomore Jadalyse Dominguez stated. “Though it could seem nerve racking to new people, I thought everyone did an amazing job, both choir and band.” 

Despite both the band and choir instructors’ efforts to give the students more time to prepare for the concert, there were obstacles that interfered with both the date and preparations of the concert, including the NWEA testing before break. 

“We started about two months ago, a little less than two months of school weeks. I see them every day, so testing kind of messed things up a little bit last week. I didn’t see them at all last week, but I think we kind of put it all together,” band instructor Jeremy Jones said. 

Though NWEA testing interfered with the students’ timeframe for preparations as well as miscommunication and scheduling conflicts among the staff affecting the date they overcame and ensured the concert’s success. 

“I’m very proud of the kids, they did an amazing job tonight. They were terrified because, like I said, we haven’t had a concert in over a year, but they really did their best; they put their best foot forward and I’m extremely proud of them,” Thomas said.