Bandstock 2 Review

Our reporter was sent out to capture the event and will be posting his review shortly! But, please feel free to add your comments by clicking on the comment button below.

Reporter's Review

Under the blue sky and cool spring temperatures, spectators entered the gymnasium to hear this year’s Bandstock 2. They peered down to chairs and music stands set in a fashion to form three semi circles side by side each other. These seats were slowly filled with young musicians poised and ready to provide their audience a top notch performance.

Band Booster President Rick Durham gave some opening remarks and turned the show over to Band Director Mr. Hoover. The sixth grade captivated everyone with sounds from musical compositions appropriate for their skills and talent.

The middle school band had the center section. Their guest conductor, Dorthy from The Wizard of Oz (aka Ashley Parker), conducted a melody of those favorite songs from the movie. And who wouldn’t think happy thoughts about the movie while watching this young guest conductor in pig tails, a blue and white checkered dress, and those sparkling ruby shoes all the while listening to those songs being played.

The dark and brooding, lush and romantic, and wild and manic styles of Danny Elfman’s film scores were played by the high school band. The more noticeable was the theme from Beetlejuice.

Middle and high school jazz bands each played the unique genre of songs that only can be described by Duke Ellington’s definition of jazz: “It’s all music.”

The finale was a small group of students with dark sunglasses, spiked hair, bandanna wearing, sixth graders led by Ashley Parker. Their music was the result of a unique way to introduce and educate them to the percussion section of a band. This educational method definitely has merit as the group “cranked out some tunes.”

The overall experience was delightful. It was evident that a lot of hard work was done by these young musicians and also by the Band Booster’s to make Bandstock 2 another successful event. Bandstock 2 was a spectacular expression of sound through melody, harmony, rhythm, and yes, even a little acting that provided an entertaining Spring Sunday afternoon.

See pictures of Bandstock 2 online.