AMS band concert features jazzy twist
By NATALIE SCOTT
The Austintown Middle School band put on a concert Dec. 11 that featured performances from the middle school percussion ensemble, the sixth-grade band, and the seventh- and eighth-grade jazz ensemble, under the direction of Marc Pupino.
The percussion ensemble was the first group to perform. After a lot of hard work from the students and many 7 a.m. practices before school, the ensemble was able to show its skill during such songs as Ensemble Uno, Waltz Masters, Marching in New Orleans, and Block-Head Quickstep, all arranged by Maurey Houliff. The students used percussion instruments such as drums, bass drum, cymbals and cowbell to create melodies and phrases with a twist.
The middle portion of the concert was claimed by the seventh- and eighth-grade jazz ensemble. This group of young jazz musicians performed jazzy versions of classic Disney songs, like “Kiss the Girl” from “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast” from the movie with the same title, as well as traditional holiday favorites, like “Frosty the Snowman.”
The sixth-grade band used its time to perform holiday classics and Carols of Joy, arranged by Douglas Wagner, with a few patriotic pieces mixed in.