Video: Ravensworth Elementary Fifth and Sixth Grade Band Spring Concert

The music department presented a fifth and sixth grade Spring Band Concert that demonstrated the students commitment and hard work as well as the teacher's commitment and drive to instill a love of music in his students.

Michael Utell, completing his first year at Ravensworth, taught music and band in several Fairfax County schools for six years before starting at Ravensworth. Utell spends two afternoons a week at Ravensworth, teaching music to his 65 students there. His enthusiasm and sense of humor were evident and communicated to the students and audience.

"The best way to make a band succeed is to assess the challenges and try to make Band a place where students can have fun and enjoy it," said Utell. "I want them to love music and I love teaching."

Utell conducted the opening selection, "Star Wars," wearing a Darth Vader costume, followed by "Mission Control". Sectional features gave each section's musicians a short piece to play such as: "Aunt Rhodie's Appetite" with guest appearances by teachers Mark Anwyll, Ms. Keller, Ms. Ruiz-Ramon and Mr. Shelesky, who combined a story with actors set to music. Next they performed "Simple Gifts," a traditional Irish folk song arranged by Jack Bullock, was a familiar piece.

Following sixth grader Katie Helm's performance of "Serenade from 'Don Giovanni' by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Utell presented her medal for her superior rating in the Solo Ensemble Festival. Sixth grader Bradley Secrist was given a trophy for being an outstanding music student.

The band's favorite piece, "Let's Go Band" by Andrew Balent was the finale. 

"We're so happy that music still has a great place in the schools," said Dan Helm, Katie's father and a band teacher at Hayfield Secondary School. 

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