For the last time this year, Mr. Putnam lifts the baton, as a hush falls over the audience. The baton begins to slice through the air as it is filled with the warm sound of Grainger’s Children’s March. This concert, one semester in the making, featured performances by the Concert Band and Jazz Band, as well as Jesuit and Ursuline’s other music programs.
Concert Band
This year, the concert band played three pieces, each representing a different style.
Children’s March by Percy Grainger Be Thou My Vision arranged by Larry Clark, and The Gladiators arranged by Roy Phillippe. Characterized by varying dynamics and note lengths, Children’s March was a fun piece that provided smooth melodies and powerful hits. This piece had the distinct quality typical of Grainger’s work (swiftly changing between staccato and legato to create a folk-y sound). Then there was Be Thou My Vision. Featuring many moments of full band fortissimo and soft solos, the piece was an entertaining spin on the classic Irish Hymn. Solos included a dramatic timpani ritardando and an ethereal piccolo melody. Finally, the band played the epic, “The Gladiators.” This piece was full of booming percussion sounds, heroic fanfares, and powerful swells. It included the work of both Hans Zimmer and Miklos Rozsa in a compilation soundtrack from movies “Gladiator” and “Ben-Hur.” The concert band had an amazing performance on May 5th, a great final concert for the class of ’24.
Jazz Band
During the second semester, a small group of students chose to participate in the Jazz Band. This group, comprised of about 10 of JURB’s members, plays a few different jazz tunes and learns how to perform jazz solos. On May 5, the group played Gershwin’s “Summertime,” Garner’s “Misty,” and Berg’s “Tastes like Chicken.” These pieces all featured smooth rhythms and iconic melodies with a vibrant feel. The entire group had solos, with larger ones being played by Tenor Sax Lucas Cruz ’26 and Alto Sax Brandon Bang ’26.
The Jazz Band also plays for Jesuit events like Jesuit Dallas Museum’s Art Quest and the President’s Reception near the end of the school year. Occasionally, they have been known to play for open mic, too.
Student Comments
“The concert was an incredible experience for all of us. The effort we put in over the last couple months really showed. The crowd was energetic, and that helped me to play at my very best. I had so much fun at the performance, and I’m looking forward to next year’s concerts, too.” – Lucas Cruz ’26
“The Band’s performances was sensational. The music selection was excellent and the band played very well.” – MJ Espinoza ’26
“I think the performances went very well. I enjoyed showcasing my talent with my peers as well as learn more about our abilities in a performance setting. Being on stage is a very different experience from rehearsing in the Band Hall, and it is very satisfying when performing at a high level. I enjoyed the concert and am excited for the next one!” – Abram Hunt ’26
Honoring the Seniors
As this was the last concert for many band members, The directors take a moment during the concert to recognize their amazing work throughout their time at Jesuit. JURB’s class of ’24 members are: Mary Borkowski, Benjamin Brainard, Henry Casey, James Corrigan, Brandon Gibson, Kyle Ma, Emma Morales, Jacob Morales, Patrick Murphy, Ethan Tavares, Kieran Welborne, and Michael Yerrington. Congratulations to these wonderful seniors!
All photos credit: Anna Patterson.
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