Grant Krener directs the combined sixth, seventh and eighth grade bands in the Brentwood High School auditorium on April 26. (All photos by Steve Bowman)
Spring concert covers B (Beatles) to Z (Legend of Zelda)
By Steve Bowman Editor, The Brentwood Spirit Email: bowmansj@sbcglobal.net
Close to 130 band and choir students performed in the Brentwood Music Department’s spring concert on April 26 in the BHS auditorium.
The choir, directed by Debbie Stinson, performed first. Then Grant Krener conducted five separate programs: the sixth grade band, seventh grade band, eighth grade band, jazz band and high school band.
Stinson led the 10-voice choir in “Blame It On the Boogie” by the Jackson Five, Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song,” “Lean On Me” by Bill Withers and the gospel hymn “Oh Happy Day.” Then Nija Price sang Sam Smith’s “Not In That Way” and Ruqqiyah Muhammad covered “Tears Dry” by Amy Winehouse, with Price, Alesha Williams and Nyiah Thompson singing backup.
Brentwood’s vocal music director Debbie Stinson introduces the choir.Choir members are identified from left. Front row: Holly Record, Paige Reilly, Nija Price, Alesha Williams, Nyiah Thompson and Ruqqiyah Muhammad. Back row: Kameron Kullum, Deshaun Johnson, Jordan Hayes and Justice Harris.Nija Price sings “Not In That Way.”Ruqqiyah Muhammad (left) sings Amy Winehouse’s “Tears Dry” with backup from Alesha Williams, Nyiah Thompson and Nija Price.
Krener directed 118 students in the five bands. That’s the most he’s had in his three years here, thanks mostly to a big turnout from the sixth-grade class — 38 students, compared to 19 two years ago. He said it probably has something to do with having the jazz band perform at both elementary schools.
The band program was as follows:
Sixth grade band
“Let’s Go Band” by Albert Ahronheim
“Rock Medley 2,” various composers
Jordan Bradley directs the sixth grade band in “Let’s Go Band.”Camille Harris reads narration before the sixth grade band plays “Rock Medley 2.”Joseph Blase’s solo gets a smile of approval from fellow trumpeter Elliot Wright.Chase Conner plays the clarinet.Nathan Sittner keeps the beat in “Rock Medley 2.”Grant Krener directs the sixth grade band.
Seventh grade band
“Cantaloupe Island,” Herbie Hancock
“Star Wars,” John Williams
“Heart and Soul,” Hoagy Carmichael
Seventh grader Madelyn Ridings keeps the tempo through Herbie Hancock’s “Cantaloupe Island.”Ben Greiner plays an alto saxophone solo during “Cantaloupe Island.”Seventh grader Jack Hampel (right) solos on guitar.Hannah Yancey plays the flute in the seventh grade band.Seventh grader Maya Sabeh plays the flute.Playing “Heart and Soul” on ukuleles are Zoey Tonis (left) and Bella Lancaster of the seventh grade band.
Eighth grade band
“Linus and Lucy,” Vince Guaraldi
“Imperial March,” John Williams
“In My Life,” The Beatles
“Blues in Bb,” Brentwood bands
“Come Together,” The Beatles
Playing alto saxophones are eighth graders Sofia Flores and David Conner.Eighth grader Tristan Jones.Eighth grade bass player Samira Bracey.Trumpeter Levi Job plays in the eighth grade band.Grant Krener directs the combined middle school bands in “Blues in Bb.”Seventh grade trumpeters Jeremy Forman, Ben Brown and Xavier Lane.
Grant Krener and the middle school bands take a bow after playing “Come Together” by the Beatles.
Jazz band
“Song for My Father,” Horace Silver
Eighth grader Chris Hartung solos during Horace Silver’s “Song for My Father.”Tayveon Brown plays bass for the jazz band.
High school band
“Jean Pierre,” Miles Davis
“The Legend of Zelda (The Main Theme),” Koji Kondo
“Palace Music” from Zelda II, Akiko Nakatsuka
“Hedwig’s Theme,” John Williams
“The Force Theme,” John Williams
“Jurassic Park,” John Williams
Xun Lu plays tuba for the high school band.Gino Kler plays piano for the high school band.
The Brentwood Spirit 