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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.On Dec. 11, the Canfield High School symphonic band and marching band drum line, under the direction of CHS Band Director Mike Kelly, joined the Canfield Village Middle School fifth-grade band at the school’s annual holiday concert.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield Village Middle School Band Director James Volenik conducted the fifth-grade band during the school’s annual holiday concert on Dec. 11.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield Village Middle School fifth-grade band, under the direction of Band Director James Volenik, performed for family and friends at the school’s annual holiday concert.
By ABBY SLANKER
The Canfield Village Middle School fifth-grade bands was joined by the Canfield High School symphonic band and marching band drum line as they presented their annual holiday concert at the school on Dec. 11.
The fifth-grade band was under the direction of CVMS Band Director James Volenik and the CHS bands were under the direction of CHS Band Director Mike Kelly.
“Good evening and welcome to the fifth-grade holiday concert. New this year, the fifth-graders are joined by members of the Canfield High School symphonic band and Cardinal Pride marching band drum line. So, we have a mix of high school and middle school bands,” Volenik said.
Volenik then introduced Kelly to start the concert.
“Good evening. We are very excited to be here with you and be a part of the fifth-grade concert. We have the high school’s symphonic band and marching band drum line here and it is very neat to watch this happen. It is very special to be here. It gives the middle schoolers a chance to see what we have in store for them in high school,” Kelly said.
The CHS symphonic band and Cardinal Pride marching band drum line began their performance with their 2018 pregame sequence, including “Emperata Fanfare,” “Fight Song” and “Hang on Sloopy.” They then performed “Our National March” arranged by Jay Dawson and then moved onto “The Star Spangled Banner, United States Navy Version.”
The fifth-grand band then took center stage to perform “Hot Cross Buns,” “Au Claire de la Lune” and “Up a Tree.”
“It’s amazing how much progress they have made since we started with instruments on Sept. 24,” Volenik said.
The band continued with “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” “Down by the Station,” “Country Station” and “Little Robin Red Breast.”
The band finished up their portion of the concert with the holiday classic, “Jingle Bells.”
“The reason we sound so good, as we are not doing this all ourselves, is because we have an excellent staff of paraprofessionals. We provide the paraprofessionals for the kids and it definitely helps them learn and get better. Thank you for allowing your kids to be in band. It’s a great thing. They learn discipline, team work and dedication. At the high school, we have such a great band family. They are close-knit friends. It’s truly amazing the band family we have in Canfield,” Volenik said.
Volenik then turned it back over to Kelly.
“Tonight is about making connections. Just listening to these kids tonight, I know we will be in good hands in four years,” Kelly said.
The CHS symphonic band and Cardinal Pride marching band drum line ended the concert with “Centerfold” arranged by Bill Wiedrich and “Angels on Parade” arranged by Dallas C. Burke.