All-City Band plays to packed house

The All-City Band played to a standing room only audience on Wednesday, April 10 at Berkley High School. Formerly known as the “Senior Band Jam,” the All-City Band is composed of 7^th and 8^th grade students from Norup International and Anderson Middle School.

Students took busses to the high school, rehearsed in the afternoon with Anderson Band Director Jeff Blazis-Voight and Norup International and Berkley High School Band Director Alan Posner, and had dinner before the performance.  Students also had the opportunity to work in sectionals with high school band students, and performed alongside them in concert.

Allie Archambault, junior drum major, spoke to students and parents about the benefits of the band program before she guest conducted the 8^th grade band in “Chimes of Liberty.”

The Berkley High School Jazz Ensemble, performing for the first time since receiving the highest Division 1 rating at the State MSBOA Jazz Festival last month, treated the audience to three selections including “Afro Blue,” “My Funny Valentine,” and “Autumn Leaves” to cap off the evening.

Concert dates for middle and high school bands are as follows:

Wed, May 8, BHS Spring Band; Thurs, May 23, Anderson Middle School Band, and Wed, May 29, NIS Band. All concerts are at 7 p.m. at Berkley High School auditorium.