The Instrumental Pops Concert was Johnny Johnson’s debut performance as director of the Music Department. The concert, which took place on October 1st, provided an opportunity for members of Orchestra, Symphonic and Jazz Band to perform together in a relaxed fashion.
The concert allowed Johnson the opportunity to show off his skills as director after taking over for recently retired Harvey Benstein. Symphonic and Jazz band memeber, Newton Kwan believed Johnson’s style differed slightly from Benstein’s, but “the slight differences added new flavor.”
“He did a great job overall,” added Orchestra, Symphonic and Jazz member Annie Guo.
Johnson surprised the students and the audience by appearing on stage in a Star Wars character mask before the Orchestra played a song from the film.
“The different orchestras and bands of Campolindo came together to play some pop music such as Wicked or Disney,” said Kwan.
Symphonic Band performed music from Disney and Wicked, Jazz Band played Glen Miller’s “In the Mood,” and Orchestra played a John Williams medley including songs from Star Wars, Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones.
Student musicians received the song selections at the beginning of the year, according to Guo. “Everyday we would work on certain sections and improve them and at the very end we put everything together,” added Guo.
