43
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Four members of the Canfield Village Middle School seventh-grade band played the sleigh bells at the school’s annual holiday concert.
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield Village Middle School Band Director James Volenik conducted the eighth-grade band during the school’s annual holiday concert on Dec. 12.
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Jessica Haley, student teacher from the University of Akron, conducted the Canfield Village Middle School seventh-grade band in performing “Feliz Navidad” at the school’s annual holiday concert on Dec. 12.
By ABBY SLANKER
The Canfield Village Middle School seventh- and eighth-grade bands presented their annual holiday concert at the Canfield High School on Dec. 12.
The bands were under the direction of CVMS Band Director James Volenik and University of Akron student teacher Jessica Haley.
The seventh-grade band opened the concert with “Santa Medley” arranged by Gene Milford, followed by “Holiday Cheers!” arranged by James Swearingen.
Next, Volenik introduced Haley to conduct the band performing “Feliz Navidad.” The band donned Santa hats for their next selection, “Santa’s Soulmate,” while a quartet of students were highlighted playing sleigh bells.
“Before the seventh-grade band plays their final selection, I would like to recognize two of our members, Julia Stratton and Gabby Smallwood, who were named to the OMEA District 5 Honors Band. For our last selection, the band will present ‘Two Holiday Classics,’ which includes the ‘Dance of the Reed Pipes’ from ‘The Nutcracker’ and ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ from Handel’s ‘Messiah,’ ” Volenik said.
The seventh-grade band closed their portion of the concert with “Two Holiday Classics” arranged by John O’Reilly.
The eighth-grade band then took the stage for their concert performance.
“It has been special year so far for our eighth-graders. They have had many opportunities to perform and they have worked extra hard and I am proud of all of them. They have an outstanding performance for you tonight, so we hope you enjoy,” Volenik said.
To introduce each selection, a member of the band stepped up to the microphone and expounded on the selection.
To begin their portion of the concert, the band performed “The Invincible Warrior” by David Shaffer, followed by “Prince of Wales March” by Len Orcino.
Volenik again introduced Haley to conduct the band in performing “A Carol Countdown” by Jerry Williams, which contained music from 21 carols. Haley handed the baton back to Volenik and the band played “The Lullabye in the Mirror” by Richard Saucedo.
The eighth-grade band continued their performacne with “First Sun” by Mike Kamuf, followed by “Fanfare and Triumph” by James Swearingen.
“Before the eighth-grade band plays their final selection, I would like to also recognize two of our eighth-grade members, Ray Bernat and Samantha Scheckelhoff, who were named to the OMEA District 5 Honors Band. For their final selection, the band will play “Jingle Bell Rock” arranged by Michael Sweeny, and the CVMS eighth-grade band, as we were making edits up until yesterday,” Volenik said.
The eighth-grade band closed the evening with “Jingle Bell Rock” arranged by Michael Sweeny.
“Thank you for being here tonight. We hope you enjoyed our performances. And thank you for all you do to support the bands. I would also like to thank Mr. Flood and Mr. Rubin and our administration for all their support. I would also like to recognize and thank our paraprofessionals, Al Colella and Robert Rollo, and a special thanks to Michael Fay for helping us. Thank you,” Volenik said.
A cookie reception was offered after the concert in the high school cafeteria.