Searcy (LP) Every year after the annual Christmas concert, Searcy High School band students audition to be placed into a competition concert band. Students are given the try-out music one week prior to auditions. After this, the band is split into two concert bands: the Symphonic Band, directed by Mr. Hines and the Wind Ensemble, directed by Mr. Luzzi. The students work from late December to March in preparation for the ASBOA Region Concert Band Assessment. Each band is required to prepare and play three pieces: a march and two selected works. Along with the prepared works, bands are also judged on sight reading. Bands are judged on a scale of 1-5. One being the best and five being the worst. A band’s ultimate goal is to receive all ones.
To achieve all ones takes a lot of time and work. The band practices each morning during first period and the Symphonic Band holds sectionals for each instrument after school. On top of this, students practice at home and
with each other after school. Every year the band holds a mid-winter concert to showcase their work. They also invite the band director from Cabot to listen and give critiques. This gives the bands an opportunity to have an outsider’s opinion on how their music is developing.
This year the Symphonic Band performed Allied Honor, Tuscola Mountain Celebration, and Waves of the Revolution. All three are very upbeat rhythmic pieces. Tuscola Mountain Celebration has a distinct folk sound incorporated by strong percussion and movement in the woodwinds. Waves of the Revolution is based upon the composers musical interpretation of the American revolution. Allied Honor is an upbeat, light march. Tuscola Mountain Celebration is a strong favorite among band members. When asked about this year’s pieces, first chair flute, Bailey Gibbs stated that, “The music is challenging and fun. If everyone puts in effort we can make ones.”
The Wind Ensemble chose to perform To Conquer the Skies, October Sky, and Symphonia . October Sky is a very powerful winds’ piece. It has no percussion, but instead features the dynamic movement that winds are capable of. To Conquer the Skies is a light rhythmic piece composed as a tribute to the Wright brothers’ first flight. Symphonia is a tribute to a band fraternity; it is a strong upbeat percussive piece. Senior Haley Workman said, “The music this year is probably the most challenging I have played. I like the variety and the pieces are fun. I think that we will do good at concert contest.”
Even after an amazing performance, the band still has work to do. They have been practicing and perfecting their pieces all week. On March 14 they will travel to West Memphis to compete.
