Friday night was packed with exciting events for families to attend, including the Academy Bands and Orchestras Concert. The first two pieces played were written by late nineteenth century composer Percy Grainger and conducted by Derek Jacoby. The concert band opened the evening with a piece called “Irish Tune from Country Derry,” a dream-like tune that swept the audience up and away from campus and into a rhythmic trance. “Country Gardens” simulated the feeling of flying, and the next piece further enhanced this feeling. Jacoby said, “The band worked very hard to prepare and I was glad to see it pay off with a strong performance.” The Corelli Ensemble, conducted by Peter Oswald, Teaching Fellow in Music, took the stage next. Eighteenth century Charles Avison piece, “Concerto in E minor,” started with a sorrowful tune. Ceylon Auguste-Nelson ’12 said, “…at one point, the violins sounded screechy but I really liked it, it was like the violins were wailing, trying to tell you a sad story.” The piece took an unexpected turn, and changed from melancholy to cheery with a piano solo by Lauren Kim ’13. Christina Landolt, Instructor in Music, conducted the next performance by the Amadeus Ensemble and played “Concerto Grosso, Op. 6, No. 12” by George Frideric Handel, which contrasted the previous pieces with its energetic tempo. Landolt punched the air, ending the piece with a quick cadence by the orchestra. Next, the Academy Concert Band performed “Military Band Suite No.1,” by Gustav Holst, which resembled the background music in movies moments before the climax. The tension was resolved by a dramatic single note. When asked why he picked this piece, Monaco replied simply, “because it sounds good.” The band then performed “Liberty Bell” by John Phillip Sousa, the well-known theme from “Monty Python.” “I knew every parent in the audience would know this song,” Monaco said. With a huge bang, a cymbal started the piece, waking up audience members. Monaco said that the band held “minimal practices” in preparation for this concert, but he was “content with the turn out.” Monaco then commented on the lack of emphasis on music and prioritization of academic activities at Andover. Collin Benedict ’12, trombone player for Concert Band said, “There are times, I get stressed about homework and I don’t want to go to practice, but then having something like Friday’s event, a concert, I get reminded why I do it. It’s the rush before the performance when we are all downstairs preparing that sense of excitement.” Monaco said, “The state of affairs is disgusting right now, but it’s important to note that the administration in the past few years has been trying to change that.” The second half of the concert featured the Academy Orchestras. The Chamber Orchestra performed Franz Schubert’s “Symphony No. 6.” After a slow, soulful opening, the orchestra sped up to an energetic, light melody. Staccato rhythms rotated among the woodwinds. More winds and strings joined the stage to form the full Symphony Orchestra, performing “Orpheus in the Underworld” by Jacques Offenbach. The performances surprises the audience as they play the familiar melody of the “Can Can.” Paul Noh ’12 said, “…the Can Can melody was really energetic and lively and made the audience go wild.” James Lim ’12 said, “I think [the musicians] put up a great concert for the parents. The audience was pretty large and the orchestra was pretty much faultless. The solos were all played magnificently and Mr. Orent did a great job conducting.”
