Schools
Ralston Students Shine in Winter Concert Performance
The middle school held its annual winter concert last week.
[Editor's note: The following was submitted by student journalist Arianna Bayangos of Carlmont High School. If you have a holiday event you'd like posted on Patch, please email the editor at joan.dentler@patch.com.]
Ralston Middle School hosted its annual music winter concerts on Dec. 12 and 13 conducted by Jordan Webster and Peter Thielen.
The first night consisted of performances from the sixth grade band, orchestra, the beginning choruses, and the Jazz Band. The second night had performances from Ralston’s Symphonic Band, Chamber Choir, Advanced Orchestra, and Honors Band. The multiple groups performed pieces for the holidays and music of different genres such as jazz and classical.
The concerts are usually well attended with family and friends of the musicians. This concert was no exception with the seats filled with people cheering after each musical piece.
Students in the Ralston music program are talented as well as dedicated; some of them participate in multiple performing groups.
Liam Jocson, a saxophone player in Honors Band and Jazz Band, enjoys playing in two groups.
Jocson said, “Jazz band is so fun because I get to learn about a new and complex genre and I also enjoy improvising and playing solos. I like being in Honors Band because it gives me a chance to work with other music sections to produce interesting pieces. It is also a way for me to bond with awesome musicians.”
The second night concluded with a performance from the select group, Honors Band, conducted by Thielen. The band performed multiple pieces including “Dance of the Spirits”, “Jubilance”, and ended with “Deck the Halls with Old Composers.”
The last piece is a medley of over 20 Christmas songs such as “William Tell” and “In the Hall of the Mountain King.” The melody of “Deck the Halls” recurred throughout the piece with different instruments playing the tune in the background.
Jocson commented about the performance of Honors Band, “I think the concert went great. Everyone was feeling good and we made only little and insignificant mistakes. We also have to thank Ms. Webster for filling in for our absent bass clarinetist.”
The music program’s next performance is the spring concert which usually takes place in late May.
Find out what's happening in Belmontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Don’t be left out of the conversation taking place in Belmont--Sign up for our daily newsletter|Like Belmont|Patch on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Start your own blog
