Music and Melody Sweep Audiences Away at Oswego East

Proud parents and music lovers had two chances last week week to listen to great music and honor the hard work and dedication of the Choir and Band students.

The evening of May 17 the Choir concert was held. The band performed the next day. There was a second band performance on May 19.

On both nights the pre-show hustle and bustle was the same. Backstage students were dressed in unaccustomed dress clothes. Some were in choir robes; others were in matching shirts and slacks or skirts. Some students were fussing with last minute hair and make-up details. Others were casually chatting with friends, but their voices betrayed the internal butterflies in their bellies.

Inside the theatre parents, family and friends were quietly filing in. They glanced around choosing their seats. Once seated, they scanned the program looking for 'their' stars. Throughout the Oswego East auditorium excitement was slowly climbing. Soon the theatre lights dimmed and the stage lights came up and the concert began.

May 17  featured eight different choir performances. Each choir had its own unique style and repertoire. They all shared beautiful music exquisitely performed. Plainly the singers had worked hard to learn their art with dedication and discipline. Beyond their technical excellence, the choir students showed themselves to be true artists by bringing individual style to their singing. Many of the choirs and soloists displayed a great sense of theatre and showmanship.

The concert featured solo performances by several students. Each soloist blended well with their choir while exhibiting their own flair.

Soloists included Natalie Howard, Brian Parker, Dan Reifsteck, Chris Kenney, Corey Fyock and Blake Davis from the Spotlight choir.

The Treble choir featured piano soloist Leslie Schulke. Michael Tito and John Dunn sang solos with the Menzo Forte group, which added humor to the evening with a stirring rendition of The Theme from Pokemon.

The newly formed Reverve ensemble featured soloists Ty Hall, Luis Alcantara, Katie Ewalt and Laren Collins. Reverve performed their ode to school district unity, a rewritten version of Come Together. The reworked song celebrates the rivalry between the two Oswego High Schools yet celebrates their shared identity as being part of District 308. Bria Cooper was the soloist for the Women's Choir.

Neither the Concert Choir nor the A Capella Choir featured solo artists. Nevertheless their performances touched the hearts of the audiences with their beauty.

After the concert, choir directors, Peter Barsch and Sarah Jones commented on the future of the OEHS choir program. Barsch mentioned that there were an exceptional number of talented freshmen returning to the program.  

“I'm always interested in seeing the new faces," he said.

Jones expressed excitement at next year's adventure.

“I'm looking forward to seeing what the new year will bring," she said.

Wednesday night's band concert featured 11 pieces played by the Plank 8th Grade Concert Band, The OEHS Concert Band and The OEHS Wind Symphony.

Each ensemble played beautifully with grace and style. The experience of listening to music played live rather than a recording is special experience. A live performance is more dynamic due to the invisible yet palpable give and take between the audience and the musicians.

Live music evokes more intense reactions than prerecorded work. One attends a concert with the anticipation of being moved by the music. The Oswego East bands certainly delivered upon that promise. Wednesday night they wove a tapestry of music that inspired, soothed, stirred and startled.

The most memorable piece was Hopak Raskolniki by David Holsinger. Introduced as a piece of Russian dance music, the piece is at first startling, but soon fascinates with its complexities. One can easily imagine strong men dancing vigorously and jumping high to prove their virility to the crowds.

There were three featured performers in Wednesday night's concert. Dan O'Donnell, District 308's superintendent, helped the OEHS Concert Band with a narration during Within These Hallowed Halls. O'Donnell showed his eagerness to be active in every part of the district's educational mission.

Soloists Morgan McWethy on the euphonium and Adam Salas on the piano, stirred the audience with their brilliant performances. Morgan performed All Those Endearing Young Charms. Adam followed in George Gershwin's footstep by performing Rhapsody in Blue.

Wednesday nights conclusion featured an honoring of the senior performers. Each senior was introduced and their post graduation destinations announced. Students are going on to college, work and the military.

Many of the seniors are pursuing careers in different facets of music including music education, music therapy and music business. When asked about these students choices, Band teacher Kelly O'Neill said, “I always encourage students to continue with music in some way whether or not they choose to make a career of it. 

“There are a lot of opportunities in musical careers today,” Johnson continued. “My music degree has allowed me to travel all over the world.”  

Editor's note: This report has been corrected to properly reflect the name of band teacher Kelly O'Neill. We regret the error.