Sturgeon Composite High presents Winter Concert

There is a massive renovation aimed at modernizing Sturgeon Composite High School with electrical wiring, insulation and plumbing stripped room by room.

Despite the ongoing chaos, music is alive and galloping at a lively pace in the State of Sturgeon.

The collective programs (Concert Band, Concert Choir, Jazz Band and Vocal Jazz Choir) continue to showcase aspiring musicians and singers at the school’s Winter Concert on Thursday, Dec. 8 at the Arden Theatre.

This year music director Darwin Krips is also debuting a Classical Guitar Ensemble. The 10-person group offers three diverse holiday tunes: Coventry Carols, Away in A Manger and Jingle Bells.

The synchronized musicianship is a challenge requiring everyone to play in time, know their music and listen carefully to each other’s instruments.

“Playing a classical guitar you have to learn to play the melody, the bass line and the harmony all at once. I parallel it to a piano. You play the complete song. You become a good independent musician, and you can pick up your guitar and play what you want. It provides the necessary background to acquire good technique and the kids actually like it. They feel a sense of pride. It’s a beautiful thing,” said Krips.

In addition to highlighting a new ensemble, Krips has also invited Edmonton pianist-composer-recording artist Andrew Glover to accompany the ensembles.

“The guy is amazing. He’s so laid back and great to work with. He takes arrangements and makes them better. He has improvisational skills and fleshes them out. It’s a treat to see someone of that calibre work with the kids.”

The mixed 56-piece Concert Band launches the evening with Richard Saucedo’s Pulsation, an ingenious effect of pulsating motion with numerous layers of sounds.

“The time signatures always change and it’s technically very difficult, but it’s fast, high energy and there’s lots of percussion.”

They also take up the challenge of playing Frank Erickson’s Toccata for Band, an energetic work that ends with a chorale, and The Brazilian Bell Carol.

“It’s like Carol of the Bells, but you’re adding a samba drum line. If you were in Brazil, this is the way you would hear it.”

The 46-piece Concert Choir sings four pieces from various corners of the world. In Bantu, the choir sings Tshepa Thapelo, a South African folk song that gives thanks as well as the beautiful African-American spiritual Steal Away.

Also in their repertoire is Follow Me Sweet Love, a flirtatious 15th century madrigal as well as Soul Cake, an Irish folk song arranged by Sting that requires bass, piano and bodhrán.

The Vocal Jazz Choir of 12 girls goes sexy with Old Devil Moon from Finian’s Rainbow, the Stevie Nicks country-rock ballad Landslide and the infamous Santa Baby.

“As much as Santa Baby is seductive, we realize this lady is very materialistic. She wants the yacht, the fur coat, jewelry from Tiffany’s and a ring,” laughs Krips.

The concert closes with the 15-piece Jazz Band composed of trumpets, trombones, sax and a rhythm section. They end with The Next Big Thing, a hip-hop shuffle that changes up the groove, and Big Band Holiday, a seven-minute medley of carols.

“It’s a bit long, but it’s fantastic.”