From the ominous Incantation and Dance to the light-hearted Lassus Trombone, the Jesuit Ursuline Ranger Band ended the school year with a spectacular performance at the Spring Concert on May 3. Also including songs from the Men’s Chorus, and debuting the Jesuit Ursuline Jazz Band, the program attracted over 200 people and exceeded everyone’s expectations.
The concert band played Star Wars: The Force Awakens written by John Williams and arranged by Michael Brown, Salvation is Created by Pavel Tschesnokoff and arranged by Bruce Houseknech, Incantation and Dance by John Barnes Chance, Lassus Trombone by Henry Filmore, and First Suite in Eb by Gustav Holst. The percussionists performed Laylit Houb by Mohammed Abdul Wahab. The Men’s Chorus Sang Materia Potens et Adhaesiva by Mark Burrows, A Serenade to a Girl by Robert Rogers, and Lean on Me by Bill Withers. The Jesuit-Ursuline Jazz Band performed Tenor madness by Sonny Rollins arranged by Frank Mantooth, Green Onions by Booker T. Jones and arranged by Roger Holmes, Over the Rainbow by Harold Arlen and E. E. Harburg, Sidewinder by Lee Morgan and arranged by Mark Taylor, and It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) by Duke Ellington and Irving Mills and arranged by Mark Taylor.
The event began with an exciting Star Wars arrangement written by John Williams and arranged by Michael Brown. The work included the iconic “Main Theme,” “Jedi Steps and Finale,” and some newer tunes from Star Wars: the Force Awakens. After an intense ending, the band calmed the crazed crowd with “Salvation is Created,” a chorale written by Pavel Tschenkoff, arranged by Bruce Houseknech. The percussionists then featured “Laylit Houb,” a collection of folk songs by Mohammed Abdul Wahab. After much-deserved applause, Jesuit’s Men’s Chorus took the stage. Starting off on a comical note, they sang “Material Potens et Adhaesiva” (Latin for powerful and adhesive material) by Mark Burrows. Much to the surprise of the audience, the boys opened forcefully with the word “DUCT TAPE!” The choir, once the cheers and laughter had subsided, then sang “A Serenade to a Girl” by Robert Rogers, incorporating romance into the concert. Accentuating the emotion, the entire chorus kneeled and outstretched their arms. The boys then continued with Lean on Me, a song sparking memories of friendship and happiness. The men’s chorus then took their seats, then the band took the stage again. A drastic change from the lighthearted songs from the choir, the band played Incantation and Dance. Written in 1960 by John Barnes Chance, Incantation is filled with dissonance, syncopation, and pure chaos that make it both a masterwork and incredibly challenging. The band performed it well and impressed everyone so much that there had to be an intermission right after.
Once everyone had made it back to their seats, the jazz band took their seats on stage. 
Janelle Castillo, an Ursuline junior, said, “ [She] think[s] [they] did a pretty great job at the concert and [she] had a lot of fun. [She] especially liked Aiden Leahy’s one note solo, and Over the Rainbow because it was a song [she] heard throughout my whole childhood.” Janelle went on to talk about the future of the jazz band, saying that “[she’s] excited for the new music” next year “[they] will be able to do since this year turned out so great. Also, this last jazz season [she] learned a lot about [her] instrument and hope[s] to gain more jazz skills for next season.”
The jazz band also had quite an outstanding concert. As Mr. Putnam pointed out, “this is the first time in five years that we’ve done the big jazz band.” What they lack in years of experience, they gain in skill, however. Mr. Putnam went on to describe how the jazz band was “really successful” and that “there were a lot of great soloists.” The jazz band spiced up the concert and made it more enjoyable for everyone.
“Next year, I’m excited for the new music we will be able to do since this year turned out so great. Also, this last jazz season I learned a lot about my instrument and I hope to gain more jazz skills for next season,” commented Janelle.
Sam Eppich ‘18 commented that the band this year is “the best [he’s] played with yet,” and emphasized that the song selections were more “challenging” and “exciting” as a result. Mr. Donovan Putnam, the director of JURB, also explained how the Spring Concert really “showcased all the hard work” of the band this year. Three of the five pieces have a difficulty rating of 4 out of 5, making the band’s feat quite impressive.”
The Men’s Chorus conquered some complex music as well. Their song, A Serenade to a Girl, which had four part harmonies, really impressed the directors and the audience. Their entire show, in the words of Mr. Putnam, was “fantastic.”
Near the end of the concert was the annual Senior Rose Ceremony, a time to recognize the seniors’ last band performance. Bass Stewart ‘17 eloquently described the event as “a parting gift for the seniors and their parents from the band, for like a rose, the seniors have grown and blossomed throughout their time in the band, while their parents have been there from the start, acting as the soil that holds the roots of the flower that is the Jesuit-Ursuline Ranger Band.”
This concert commemorated the last time group of talented musicians would ever perform together. To officially end the year and say goodbye, the band had its annual banquet on Saturday, May 14. At the banquet, the directors announced next year’s officers and revealed next year’s marching show: Queen. Martin Flores ‘17, one of next year’s drum majors, expressed that he’s “really excited about [the] show. They’re probably one of [his] favorite classic rock bands and [he’s] really ecstatic to conduct such an awesome selection.” The directors added to the excitement and forecasted that the band “will be a little bigger next year” and that “a lot of really smart, talented kids are coming in.” Everyone is very excited about next year’s marching show and the future of the band. With the fall of 2016 shaping up, The Ursuline-Ranger Band marches on to more success!
