The Southeastern Massachusetts School Bandmasters Association (SEMSBA) Senior Festival Concert was recently held at the B.M.C. Durfee High School in Fall River.
Participating in the concert were students from 31 different high schools. Although the concert was not a competition, students had to audition in February in order to qualify to play and get invited.
Director of the Durfee High School Band, Matt McMullen, said that the various types of music included orchestra, jazz and concert bands, and choruses. There were 70 students playing orchestral music, 117 playing in jazz bands, 88 playing in concert bands, and 150 singing in choruses.
The concert itself was preceded by remarks from Rachel Hollenbeck, director of music at Braintree High School and president of the SEMSBA. She commented that she heard everyone practicing and promised the crowd they would be listening to great music.
Her remarks were followed by the playing of the Star Spangled Banner, after which ‘Sweet Sadie’ was performed by the jazz orchestra. Solos were performed by members of the orchestra and the conductor danced along with the music.
The audience appeared to enjoy the concert, bobbing their heads to the music, and showing their appreciation with great rounds of applause.
Events like this often hire a printing company to create a program with the names of the various players and their respective schools.
