Cascades Winter Band Concert

The Sax Squad, Jackson Young (10), Kate Smith (10), Soren Ising (10), and Irene Ramirez Herrera (10), play for CHS Jazz Band on stage during the Winter Concert. The March concert showcased the skills of both middle school and high school bands. Photo credit: Roselyn Robison 

On March eleventh at 7:00 p.m., Cascade High School (CHS) and Icicle River Middle School (IRMS) hosted their second to last concert of the year on the stage in the commons. Under the direction of Mr. Rowland, the winter band concert commenced. This performance was a precursor to the concert at Wenatchee High School where CHS Concert Band performed for professional judges. 

The concert began with the CHS’s Jazz Band performing Afternoon in Paris by John Lewis with solos from DW Henson (12) and Kate Smith (10), Here’s that Rainy Day by Johnny Burke, and It’s Only a Paper Moon by Herold Arlen featuring lead vocalist Kyrianna Ross. 

The Sixth Grade Beginning Band performed Heroes and Glory by James Swearingen and Cardiff Castle by Mark Williams. 

The Seventh Grade Concert Band carried out Mystic Legend by Anne McGinty and The Tempest by Robert Smith. 

The Eight Grade Concert Band accomplished El Derado by Mark Williams, Train Heading West by Timothy Broege, and Byzantine Dances by Carol Brittin Chambers. 

 The night ended with CHS’s Concert Band preforming March to Knowhere by Vaclav Nelhybel, Blessed Are They by Johannes Brahms, and The Great Locomotive Chase by Robert Smith. 

“I kind of sight-read Blessed Are They; but, overall, we did so good. I love every piece, and I love playing with the people I enjoy being around,” said Irene Ramirez Herrera (10). 

“I don’t like The Great Locomotive Chase very much. You know personally, as a person, I felt the tympany part was really good. This was like a six out of ten concert,” said Kyrianna Ross (10). 

Rhonan Allen (12) enjoyed his part in the final piece: “I got to play a train whistle,” said Allen. 

At the performance on March eighteenth, CHS Concert Band members traveled to Wenatchee High School to perform their pieces for judges Dave Baldock and Ed Cunnington for the NCWMEA Large Group High School Band Festival.  

I think we sounded better in Wenatchee, because we had more time to learn from the last concert at CHS and there was more people and pressure in Wenatchee,” said Reese Mathers (12). 

“I think we did well, and I enjoy spending time with my peers as well as missing school. I think it was a bit rushed, because some people did not practice enough, but we still sounded pretty good. I think we sounded better in Wenatchee, because we had more time to learn from the last concert at CHS and there was more people and pressure in Wenatchee,” said Reese Mathers (12). 

The last fine arts concert of the 2024-25 school year will be held on June fourth and will include all bands from IRMS and CHS. Many pieces will be recognizable from movies like Pirates of the Caribbean and Wicked. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.