Beginning with the jazz band playing the piece “At the Woodchopper’s Ball” by Woody Herman, March 1st’s concert featured an eclectic mix of musical styles.

Director Harvey Benstein said, “The goal of the program is to always strive to reach an Ensemble, which means everyone is working together and contributing to make great music, and I feel in our concert we did a great job of that.”

“The concert went really really smoothly and we played very well and the audience was great,” said junior and French Horn player Matthew Freeman.

Students attributed the successful performance to the band’s rigorous practicing and Benstein’s dedication. “Benstein knows how to put on a great show and is a great teacher,” said freshman Trombone section leader Jack Stephens.

Benstein describes his students’ process as one of daily improvement: “We are always hoping to improve as musicians and always feel as if we can better ourselves and continue to grow musically. All of the students work hard daily to contribute to their growth as musicians and I feel like their growth was very well exhibited in the concert.”

The concert band played pieces like “The Red Ballon” by Anne McGinty and “Danza Sonora” by Claude T. Smith, while the symphonic band played the march “The Fairest of the Fair” by John Phillip Sousa.

“Concerts are an opportunity for us to share what we learn with the audience and everyone who is listening,” said Benstein.