On Thursday May 7, at about 6:59PM, crowds of parents, friends and other family members waited patiently for Woburn Music’s annual Sounds of Spring Concert to begin. Joined by the Henry Hudson Junior and Senior Bands, Woburn Music hosted one of its largest and most successful concerts at the John Wilcox Woburn Auditorium.

The first half of the concert contained the performances of the Monday Band, Concert Choir and the Henry Hudson Senior Band (later joined by Thursday Band). These ensembles were followed by the Chamber Choir, who sang a beautiful piece named “You Made Me Love You”, during which the performers entertained with loving gestures among each other in due accordance to the song. The Chamber Choir was followed by Thursday Band as well as a new ensemble, the Sax Ensemble. The Sax Ensemble was a group of four saxophonists (Addesse Haile, Scott Harbin, Evan Porter and Saquib Siddiqui) who played a Sax Quartet that added a jovial ambiance of head-bopping, foot-tapping entertainment. The members of the Sax Quartet were later joined by the Senior Jazz Band – from whom we have come to expect spectacular performances, as was the case on Thursday night.

At this point, the crowd gathered in the front foyer for an intermission, during which many people marvelled at the accomplishments of the music groups on display on the “Wheelie Board”. At the sound of the bell – a sound that many members of the Concert Choir and Wind Ensemble are accustomed to – the audience made their way back into the auditorium for the second half the concert.

The second half began with the Junior Jazz Band, many of whom we may later see in the Senior Jazz Band. The Junior Jazz Band was followed by the Henry Hudson Junior Band and the Madrigal Choir. One of our graduating students, Anthony Varahidis, conducted a lyric piece named Shenandoah with the Madrigal Choir and did very well in such a role. Next up was the one-of-a-kind Guitar Ensemble. Contrary to popular belief, the Guitar Ensemble did not “shred” or “hammer” their way into the limelight, rather they performed a serene tune which mesmerized the audience. This was the first ensemble of its kind in Woburn Music history. The Guitar Ensemble preceded the performance of a Piano Concerto by twenty-four members of the Wind Ensemble as well as Mufei Jiang on piano, who performed with brilliance and musical genius. The performers of the Piano Concerto were then joined by the rest of the Wind Ensemble who were conducted by alumnus Louis Varahidis for “Second Suite for Military Band”, as well as Mrs. Houghton for “Vesuvius”.

As the Wind Ensemble “accelerando-ed” their way to the finish, the crowd lauded the efforts of the whole music department, including the students and teachers for putting on such a wonderful night. Congratulations to all students on an excellent performance. This concert was a bittersweet moment for our graduates, as it was their last concert as a Woburn Music student. Again, a hearty congratulations to all performers!

Just a reminder, the Music Council will be selling Music Banquet tickets next week. Don’t forget, the banquet is on May 22 at the White Shield Banquet Halls (Corner of Lawrence and Kennedy). Tickets are $35. If you have any questions, a Council member would be more than happy to help!