December is the month for school concerts and Sturgeon Composite High School’s five dynamic musical ensembles percolate with Christmas spirit.
Songs of the Season, taking place at the Arden Theatre on Thursday, Dec. 5, celebrates student bands, choir, drumline, classical guitar and a pre-show art walk.
For the past seven years, music director Kyle Swenson has guided the “top-notch” 45-piece concert band, a 12-piece jazz band, a 17-voice choir, a 20-piece classical guitar ensemble and two drumlines. Swenson and former music teacher Darwin Krips also pair up for a surprise performance.
“Individually we have about 85 musicians in the ensembles. These are kids that live for music,” said Swenson.
The concert band with its symphonic, cascading sound plays four pieces including Roland Barrett’s Sunchasers, a colourful work that portrays the inspiration and optimism of those who go above and beyond.
“It’s a fast-paced rhythmic challenge in its articulation and feel. It features something from all the parts and is very driving in all its sections – woodwind, string, brass, percussion,” Swenson said.
The band also dives into Arte Del Tango, a bright tango groove that presents diverse colours and textures for all parts of the section.
“I like the rhythms and the full band shout lines. It’s rhythmic and energetic with lots of layers and textures. But it’s also catchy and fun,” he said.
Swenson has high praise for the choir, and for this concert, it is tapped to sing five songs with three soloists These gold standards are I Can’t Help Falling In Love, White Winter Hymnal, Every Now and Then and Light of Grace, an Irish blessing.
“This choir has exceptional voices for solo lines. They make my job easier because they blend so well and work so well together.”
In addition, the choir showcases Venezuelan composer Cristian Grases Canto de Pilon. This multicultural piece sung in Spanish is a traditional working song about women grinding corn.
“The writing style is very interesting and there are fun rhythms, and great sounds and harmonies. It’s very approachable for high school singing voices," Swenson said.
The classical guitar ensemble sets out to charm the audience with breezy Christmas tunes, including a three-part arrangement of Jingle Bells, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, and I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.
Instead, the music program’s two drumlines are the heartbeat of the concert. With their steady tempo, pulsating beat and toe-tapping groove, they generate energy and excitement. While the junior drumline performs a set titled Mirage & More, the seniors lavish crowds with The Buffet.
The Jazz Band’s funkier charts range from The Girl from Ipanema, a sensual Brazilian song that became a 1962 international hit to Led Boots, Jeff Beck’s homage to Led Zeppelin.
“It’s a bit of a fusion rock – loud with a lot of electric guitar and James Brown harmony lines," said Swenson.
“This is going to be a great concert with high-functioning ensembles who work at a fast pace and perform following a tradition of excellence.”
Songs of the Season starts Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. at the Arden Theatre. Tickets are $6 at tickets.stalbert.ca or at 780-459-1542.
