The Logan County High School Music Department returned to the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center (SKyPAC), to deliver its annual Winter Concert on 07 December. With the exception of last year’s cancelled concert, this made the sixth-straight year the winter concert was performed at the facility, and as in the past, it proved to be a terrific means for even the biggest Scrooge to find the Christmas spirit.
The evening’s program began with the school’s Jazz Band. The Jazz Band-- Big Money Nate & the Moneymakers-- consists of nine upper-classmen who study and perform jazz selections together. Improvisation is often an aspect of the jazz genre; as such, it was included in the evening’s performance. Each band member featured with their own chance to practice their developing improvisational skills throughout their six-song set of seasonal music. A highlight of the band’s improvisations was senior jazz member, Laren Hines, playing a solo on a baritone, an instrument seldom found in jazz bands; however, there it was sounding right in place.
Jazz Band members: Xander Carnal, Paige Copen, Laren Hines, Mariah Perdue, Jaden Rager, Brennan Christmas, Nate Farlee, Joshua Lawrence, and Austin Phelps.
Next on the agenda, the LCHS Chorus performed a set featuring that included the traditional tune “Do You Hear What I Hear” and five more contemporary selections. “A Holiday Road of Carols” had the audience reflecting on National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation; the song “The Twelve Days after Christmas” provided the evening’s comic relief. This was the first SKyPac Winter concert for LCHS alumnus and new (second year) choir conductor, Justin Kirby.
Concert Choir members: Lane Bibb, Xander Carnal, Claire Dayton, Bri Goode, Shaunna King, Joshua Lawrence, Evan Monte De Oca, Clare Perkins, Angelique Sagar, Jennie Bond, Lily Craig, Micayla Doyle, Laya Hinton, Adrianna Kodiak, Skylar McCarley, Alison Moore, Katy Riffle and Addye Wagoner.
The last group to perform was the LCHS Symphonic Band. Under the direction of maestro David Dayton, the symphonic band offered six selections. The collection of songs included traditional carols “Sleigh Ride” and “Greensleeves”, along with a few new interpretations of traditional carols including “House of the Rising Bells” and “We Wish You a Mambo Christmas.” For the show’s conclusion, the choir returned on stage to perform with the symphonic band an arrangement titled “On with the Snow!”
Symphonic Band members: Flutes- Caitlyn Allen, Kayla Belcher, Emily Bell, Hannah Britt, Kaitlin Dowell, Madison Forrest, Adrianna Kodiak, Kathryn Powell, Wyatt Reading, Caitlin Watkins. Clarinets- Jillian Christmas, Anistyn Cox, Claire Dayton, Ilana Duncan, Katelin Gibson, Caroline Hallman, Amber Hershberger, Makayla Nichols, Mariah Perdue, Dylan Trefethen, Seth White. Bass Clarinets- Paige Copen, Karlee McLevain. Alto saxophones- Alexis Carnal, Jaden Rager, Wyatt Sublett. Tenor saxophone- Olivia Windhaus. Trumpets- Jenna Blick, Xander Carnal, Micayla Doyle, Hayden Gidcumb, Chris Johnson, Joshua Lawerence, Clare Perkins, Madison Sisk, Austin Smith, Brett White. French horns- Austin Phelps, Madison Sisk. Trombones- Luke Arnold, Connor Saylor. Euphonium- Cameron Bunce, Evan Dana, Laren Hines. Tubas- Jesse Buchanan, Sofia Jones. Percussion- Brennan Christmas, Nate Farlee, Rebecca Greer, Cooper Gregory, Gunnar Groom, Isham Hammer, Abigail King, Maya Mayhugh, DJ Penrod, KK Vick, Allie Williams.
The evening was made possible with the aid of a SKyPAC “Curtains Up” grant, for which the LCHS Music program and persons in attendance are most grateful.