The Middle School Jazz Ensemble performed three selections: "El Ritmo de Vida" by Bob Washut; "Afro Blue," an uptempo jazz waltz made popular by Mongo Santamaria; and an arrangement of the classic 70s rock instrumental, "Frankenstein," made popular by the Edgar Winter Group.
The Sixth Grade Beginning Band performed four selections: "Mucho Mariachi" by Mark Williams; "Temple of Darkness" by Rob Grice; "Triple Threat" by Michael Story; and a challenging grade 1.5 piece for beginners, "Junk Funk" by Kevin Mixon, featuring the percussion section on "trash" instruments.
The Middle School Concert Band performed five selections, starting with "Alternate Time" by Mark D. Slater, a grade 2.5 piece that features changing time signatures every measure. The concert featured three pieces by Wisconsin composers: first, a slow, lyrical arrangement of John Stevens' "Benediction"; followed by an arrangement of the sea chantey "All Ye Young Sailors" by Pierre LaPlante; and the concert piece, "Trouble on the Trempealeau" by Rachel Holmes, middle school band director at Kewaskum. The concert concluded with Randall Standridge's "Armory," an exciting concert piece inspired by action movies and video game music.
