City-wide band and choral concert returns

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The annual City-wide Band, Orchestra and Choral Concert will take place Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Chaney High School gymnasium, 731 S. Hazelwood Ave.

The event, now in its 32nd year, brings together more than 750 students in grades four through 12.

“It’s students from all of the schools, all together at one event,” said Carol Baird, creative and performing arts resource coordinator for the Youngstown City School District. “Parents love it and so do the children.”

Tickets are $1 at the schools and $2 at the door. Three free $50 raffle prizes will be awarded.

Teachers from each of the district’s six elementary schools bring students to the performance. Some bring just a few singers or their school choirs. Others bring whole classrooms.

“It’s a big event and kids want to be part of it,” Baird said.

The East High School Junior ROTC, under the direction of Sgt. Douglas Moon, will open the program with the Presentation of the Colors.

When the orchestras take the stage, Haley Beverburg, a pianist, will accompany them.

The event will feature the student/faculty jazz band, under the direction of East’s director and jazz musician Shawn Marko. Youngstown State University student Lauren Zetta will play bass trombone, and Justin Randall will play trumpet, representing the partnership between YSU and the city schools.

Jason Rosendary, a graduate of the former Woodrow Wilson High School and alumnus of both the Junior Youngstown Connection and the Youngstown Connection, will choreograph the choirs’ performances.

It’s an exciting opportunity for the students, particularly the younger ones, said Baird.

When the older and younger musicians play together, they perform music from the high schools’ repertoire, but easier parts are provided for the younger students.

“It’s exciting,” said Baird. “If you’re playing in a school band, you’re just in that small group. But when there are 80 other students and you’re all playing together, you get to see what it’s like to be in a real band.”