It’s beginning to sound a lot from Christmas, courtesy of the Jesuit Ursuline Band. (JURB) They began working on a series of Christmas songs following the final game of the football season vs. Longview, in preparation for their two Sounds of the Season concerts that took place this past week.
The first of the two concerts was held last Thursday night at 7:00 in the Terry Center, and consisted solely of the band. In it, the group played a mix of nine holiday tunes, including classics Up on a Housetop and Sleigh Ride.
Addressing the audience between songs, head director Mr. Donovan Putnam remarked how amazing it was that the band could learn so much music in so little time. After the conclusion of marching season, the band only had 9 school days to devote entirely to Christmas music. Mr. Putnam and Assistant Director Mr. Zane Crownover split the directing duties, each conducting a few tunes.
Referring to the concert, percussion member Dustin Bagayna ’15 noticed that “the music really brought the Christmas spirit to people,” both in the audience and in the ensemble itself.
For many students, the best part of the night was the large reception following the concert, during which an assortment of holiday treats was provided. These treats included brownies, cookies, cupcakes, and much, much, more.
The 2012-2013 band obviously contains lots of musical talent; recently the school was informed that over fifteen members had been selected to play in the TPSMEA All-State band in the last week of January. Former band member Jacob Przada ’14 recalled how “Jesuit consistently represents the TPSMEA All-State with numerous amounts of participants, due to JURB’s strong support for all members of the band.” The success of Jesuit in state can largely be attributed to Donovan Putnam, Zane Crownover, and Ann Morton, who use the best recording technology and strongly encourage all players in the band to try out for the elite ensemble.
The second concert occurred on Sunday at Ursuline Academy, where the band was part of a five act concert also including the Jesuit Ursuline Cistercian String Orchestra, the Ursuline Academy Singers, the Jesuit Ursuline Percussion Ensemble, and the Ursuline Academy “Satin Dolls” Jazz Choir.
Ursuline faculty Mrs. Jane Chambers and Mrs. Virginia Kassel collaborated with Jesuit music faculty Mr. Putnum, Mr. Crownover, and Mrs. Ann Morton to put on the large production. Chambers directed the orchestra and choir, while Putnam and Crownover again split conducting of the concert band.
The concert was a big success, leaving parents and even band members in awe. Orchestra member Trent McRae ’15 commented that “the concert was great. The music was good, the crowd reception was good, everything” was good.
The concert would be the last holiday concert for many seniors in the choir, band, percussion, and orchestra. Connor Gleim ’12, a four-year percussionist for JURB, talked about the bittersweet moment, saying that “although the concert was the last Christmas concert for [himself] and other seniors, [he] thought it was a perfect finish for a great four years in band.”
A cookie reception was celebrated after the conclusion of the concert, and provided a great time for students from the three schools to socialize and congratulate one another on their great performances. It acted as a great way to conclude the bands season.
Overall, the concerts were the beautiful results of months of hard work and preparation by the talented musicians at Jesuit, Cistercian, and Ursuline. Sophomore french horn player, Drew Curran ‘15, perfectly summed up the two evenings during the closing prayer for Sunday’s concert, saying that the concerts “brought together the talents of two great schools and the music programs that they have as an entertaining introduction to the Christmas season this year.”
The final song of Sunday’s concert, White Christmas, featured all of the singers, orchestra members, percussionists, and instrumentalists. It was a great way to spread Christmas cheer, and even culminated with a shower of snow from Ursuline’s snow machine, providing concert attendees with a true “White Christmas.”
