Unfortunately, the Jesuit Rangers football team lost in the third round of the playoffs last week. Though obviously a heart-wrenching defeat for the team, the loss was also a disappointment to cheerleaders, band members, Rangerettes, and Lone Rangers, especially seniors.
For the Jesuit Ursuline Ranger Band (JURB), the loss was met with a bittersweet attitude. Despite the fact that it signaled the end of a long and successful football/marching season, it represented the shift of focus from marching tunes to Christmas music.
Though the band had been practicing their Christmas tunes for the few weeks prior to the loss along with their marching stand tunes, they now could channel all of their energy into their Holiday music.
Jon Birondo ’15 expressed his appreciation for the new season, saying “I like the Christmas concert season because I get to play a wider range of percussion instruments as opposed to just the bass drum during marching season. Also the Christmas music makes me happy, gets me in the spirit and keeps my mind off of schoolwork for a while.”
JURB would only have a few weeks to prepare for their upcoming Christmas concerts, scheduled to take place at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, December 10 at Jesuit and on Sunday, December 15 at Ursuline Academy.
The closest concert, which will be performed next Tuesday, will consist only of the Jesuit Ursuline Ranger Band playing their full Christmas selection. This program will include songs such as The Polar Express, Sleigh Ride, Old English Christmas, The Nutcracker, and 20 Carols in 2 Minutes.
Sleigh Ride and Polar Express are traditional favorites of JURB and have been played for the past few years.
Drew Curran ’15 emphasized how the concert “is a good way to get into the holiday spirit while being able to hone our talents and then display them in a fun environment with well known music.”
JURB directors Mr. Donovan Putnam and Mr. Zane Crownover will conduct the music, each taking the podium for multiple tunes.
Following the Christmas concert, there is always a cookie feast in the foyer of the Terry Center, where band parents bring homemade cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and other treats as a post-concert snack.
In addition to JURB’s performance at Jesuit on Tuesday, they will perform on the next Sunday at Ursuline, along with the Jesuit/Cistercian/Ursuline Orchestra and the Ursuline Choir. This event, known as the “Sounds of the Seasons” concert, is held in the Fine Arts Hall of the Academy.
Mr. Putnam and Crownover will again conduct the band, while the orchestra and choir will be under the direction of Ursuline’s Mrs. Jane Chambers.
Birondo mentioned his fondness of the concert, saying “I like how all the music programs between Ursuline and Jesuit come together for one night to showcase their different, respective talents.”
At “Sounds of the Season,” JURB will not showcase their entire Christmas program, but will only play selected tunes due to time constraints. The spotlight switches between the band, orchestra, and choir as the three groups alternate in performing their Holiday music.
Chris Lanyon ’14 particularly enjoys this concert, as “It’s great getting to hear the other music groups at Ursuline perform . I’ve met people who participate in them and it’s awesome to hear what they have prepared because you know they have been working just has hard as you have. It’s nice to appreciate someone else’s music every now and then.”
Because Lanyon is a senior, it will be his final Christmas concert ever. He explains how “It’s exciting but at the same time sad. I’m excited to perform the same music I’ve come to love through 4 years of playing it, but it’s the last time I’ll be playing it as a member of Jesuit’s band.”
The two concerts will definitely be great shows for anyone who can make them, bringing Christmas cheer to students and parents before the dreaded exam week.
Michael White, speaking on behalf of the rest of the band as well, invites any and all to attend these two musical performances, exclaiming “If you want a real musical experience, come to the band concert! Everyone’s doing it!”
Come out and celebrate Christmas cheer by supporting the Jesuit Ursuline Ranger Band, the Jesuit/Ursuline Orchestra, and the Ursuline choir as they perform this next week!
