St. Michael's Presents Spring Band Concert

The spring band concert, when Art Manchester’s A Band joins forces with other area middle school bands, is a bona fide all-hail event. Wednesday morning, St. Michael's Country Day School Head Bob Tavares called it “one of [his] favorite days of the school year.”

“Any day Portsmouth Middle School Band Director Richard Price is in the house is a good day for us, as far as I'm concerned,” he said. Down by two this year as both Pennfield and Thompson had schedule conflicts, it was a day for Mr. Manchester’s and Mr. Price’s groups to shine. The bands both played individually and teamed up for one stellar performance after another. Mr. Price thanked the parents and family members for coming out and supporting the young musicians.

“Please remember,” he added, “that this is the future.”

There were also a number of student solos. Joint efforts included “Pink Panther Remix” and a Manchester original, “Fo’ Robb.” St. Michael's tunes included “Smoke on the Water” and “Piano Man.”  One admiring mother in the audience commented that “most ensembles can’t start and stop at the same time,” later said it was “inspiring and a great experience.”