M-A’s Jazz II, Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, and Orchestra gathered in the PAC on Tuesday to deliver a collection of music, from Disney covers to early 20th-century romance, to set forth the holiday season.
The concert featured both instrumental classics and contemporary covers, ensuring that all listeners were engaged and merry. Conducted by music director William Flaherty, rhythms from numerous percussion instruments, bright violins, and the brass of a trumpet filled the air.
Jazz II opened with an arrangement of the ‘50s hit “Bags’ Groove.” A harmonic series of soft saxophones, resembling the sounds of a fancy restaurant diner, along with overlapping bass and drums completed the leisurely melodies. Ending with progressively sharp drum beats, the students evoked head nods and foot-taps from the audience.
The Jazz Ensemble followed with a beautiful set of romantic jazz covers, adding melodic vocals to the theater’s ambiance. “Falling in Love with Love,” performed by senior Lia Lev, transformed the PAC into a scene of passion and charm. Lev’s warm pitch and soft vocals combined with flashy timbres of piano and a balanced series of gentle saxophones drew smiles and looks of awe from the audience.
Next, the Ensemble performed The Flamingos’ hit “I Only Have Eyes for You.” Junior Kealy Bryman’s unique vocal twist on the classic song made it seem as if love was in the air. With a relaxing and funky ’90s vocal drift, the cover’s overlap with melodic guitar stringing and crisp piano fashionably introduced the next piece.
“Four on Six” consisted of three solos, all including guitar and trumpet. This upbeat composition offered bold and suspenseful low melodies that ended the Jazz Ensemble’s performance on a confident note.
“It’s exhilarating playing in front of an audience and being able to build connections with students that share the same passion for music,” sophomore trumpist Calvin Branford said.
M-A’s Concert Band opened the next performance with “Among the Clouds,” which transitions from a low and deep tone to layers made of resounding clarinets and ringing xylophone melodies. Consistent with calm and enchanting rhythms of alto saxophones and delicate flutes, the audience was truly in the clouds that night.
The Orchestra soon followed with a stunning compilation of Disney Frozen hits, from “Frozen Heart” and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” to “In Summer,” “Let it Go,” and “For the First Time in Forever.” The familiar melody was enhanced by overlapping violins mixed with the delicate ringing of bells. The piece featured moments of abrupt silence, spotlighting the subtle sound of strings from the cellos, violas, and violins, capturing an array of precision from all performers.
“Concert Overture Dublin City,” an orchestra classic written by Irish Traditional that shifted the ambiance from calm to cheery, ended the night. Followed by a suspenseful rhythm of violins and harp melodies, the constant tone shifts allowed the audience to engage in both the lighter strokes of a soft violin and the emotionally upbow pitch that sent heart-piercing vibrations.
Alongside the smooth tunes, romantic jazz, and cheerful crowd, M-A’s Orchestra and Band has once again produced a jolly performance for this holiday season.
