VWHS bands, choir traveling to state

Van Wert independent/contributor content

Following an outstanding district contest showing in early March, the Van Wert High School Concert Choir, Concert Band and Symphony Band will travel to state contest today. The three groups will perform in Gahanna as part of the Ohio Music Education Association state band and choir finals.

This is the third consecutive year and fourth time in five years that both bands have qualified for state finals.

The Concert Choir will perform at Gahanna Middle School West at 5:10 p.m. today, singing a challenging Class B program that includes “If Music Be the Food of Love” by Andy Beck, “Good News!” arranged by Ken Berg, and “The Awakening” by Joseph M. Martin. The Concert Choir most recently received a superior rating at state finals in 2009. The Concert Choir is under the direction of Tonia Gamble and is accompanied on piano by Marilyn Alessandrini.

Next, the Concert Band will perform in the Gahanna Lincoln High School gymnasium at 6:30 this evening. The group will play a challenging Class C program that includes “Kentucky Pride March” by John Edmonson, “Joy Revisited” by Frank Tichelli, and “Images of Ireland” by Brian Balmages. The Concert Band, which is under the direction of Karen Kelly, has received three consecutive superior ratings at state finals.

The final VWHS group to play will be the Symphony Band, which will perform at 8:20 this evening in the Gahanna Lincoln High School auditorium. That band will perform a challenging Class A program that includes “Prelude Siciliano and Rondo” by Malcolm Arnold, “Southern Hymn” by Samuel Hazo, and “Undertow” by John Mackey. The Symphony Band is under the direction of Robert H. Sloan.

Following their respective performances, the Van Wert groups will not have to wait long to find out their final ratings, which will be posted in the school cafeteria shortly after each performance.

Regardless of the outcome, it should be noted that making it to state finals is an outstanding accomplishment, all choir and band members should be proud of making it to “state.”

For parents and others who plan to watch the performances in person, OMEA regulations prohibit the use of any audio or video recording devices, including (but not limited to) cell phones, cameras (both still and video), tape recorders, or any other recording devices. Failure to comply may result in disqualification of a school from the competition.

Following state finals, the Van Wert groups will continue preparing for spring performances, including concerts and graduation.

For more information on any of these events, visit the Van Wert Band website at www.vanwertbands.org “like” them on Facebook at Van Wert Bands Information, or call the VWHS Music Department at 419.238.3722.