WHEATLAND — It was standing room only on Thursday night as families and friends filled the WHS auditorium to overflowing for the holiday band concert. The concert featured 5th through 12th grade bands directed by the festively attired Evan Bradley.
These bands filled out an impressive roster including the Wheatland High School Bash, Wheatland Middle School Jazz Band, Wheatland High School Exit 79 Jazz Band, Wheatland Beginning Band, Wheatland Middle School Blue & Gold Bands, and the Wheatland High School Concert Band.
Pure holiday nostalgia was in the air as Bradley’s musicians expertly performed traditional and modern holiday music. Spectators couldn’t help but tap their toes and become completely enveloped in good cheer.
The High School Bash performers entertained with a fun arrangement of the classic “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and an all-percussion rendition of the “Ukranian Bell Carol,” also known as “Carol of the Bells.”
The Middle School Jazz Band impressed everyone with their smooth performances of “Dynamo,” “Coco,” and “Deck the Halls.” Music instructor Bradley was on bass guitar duty during the evening as he filled in for a student who was ill.
More good vibes followed with performances by the Exit 79 Jazz Band with their very cool arrangements of “The First Noel,” “A Big Band Christmas,” and “In the Bleak Midwinter.” There was nothing bleak about these expertly executed arrangements.
Wheatland Beginning Bands performed classic and recognizable Christmas hits with “Jolly Old St. Nick” and “Jingle Bells.”
Blue & Gold Bands performed memorable renditions of “Welcome Christmas,” “A Festival of Carols,” “Elves’ Dance,” “Christmas Spirituals,” and “Santa the Barbarian.”
For the finale, the High School Concert Band rounded out the evening with “Dashing Gallop,” “The Sussex Mummers’ Christmas Carol,” and “Your Better Sleigh!”
It is heartwarming to see the level of dedication from students and instructors, as well as the support of parents and other boosters in the community.
