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Boardman bands present winter concert
By SARAH FOOR
On March 10, the lights went down and the curtain came up at the Boardman Performing Arts Center, and the Boardman High School bands took center stage.
“After marching season ends, we take the extra time as an opportunity,” explained director of bands Tom Ruggieri. ”Our winter concert shows how much we’ve invested into exploring the finer details of music and performance.”
Although the band performs as a unit during football season, the winter months find the 275-member band divided into Freshman Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble. The winter concert had each group playing a unique mix of classic overtures and modern hits.
The Freshman Band’s Latin-themed “Senor Cadera” displayed the percussion skills of the band’s younger members, as well as woodwind skills in student saxophone and flute solos.
The Concert Band had feet tapping in the aisles with the familiar refrains in “Motown Revue” and a tribute to Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band.
The star of the night was senior soloist and clarinetist Alexis Trell, who performed her solo with the Wind Ensemble. “Senior soloists are an honored tradition here at Boardman, and it takes a very talented student to handle the pressure,” reflected Ruggieri. “Alexis’ practices got better every single time we went through her piece, and at the concert, her performance really was flawless.”
Although their performance was successful, there is no slowing down for the Boardman bands. Rehearsals are beginning for the school’s spring concert in May, as well as for a trip to Washington, D.C. for a march in the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in April.
Locally, the bands will be marching in the Boardman Memorial Day Parade and the wind ensemble will perform in the Boardman Kiwanis Memorial Day ceremony.
During their concert, director Ruggieri took a moment to thank his students, parents, and fans.
“We are very fortunate in Boardman to have such support for our wonderful and diverse music program. This night is all about the kids and the amazing work they do,” he shared.