Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Writer
Dexter, Missouri – The Dexter Senior High School Band and Jazz Cats Christmas Concert was absolutely breathtaking. These students are so creative and work daily perfecting their musical talents.
This year Scott Rybolt, High School Band Director, chose music that would please any crowd. One of the more interesting pieces of music was the “Morning Madness” arranged by Larry Clark. It portrayed someone getting ready for work or school and all the morning rituals people perform including running late and getting pulled over by the police. There were students brushing their hair, brushing their teeth and even using a blow dryer. There were the sounds of an alarm clock, horns honking, and a police siren and even more fascinating sounds of getting ready in the morning. The crowd truly enjoyed this rendition and it was quite comical. The students enjoyed playing it as well as the audience could see their smiles and laughs throughout the program.
Another piece of music chosen and is dear to many hearts was “Greensleeves” arranged by Alfred Reed. From as early as 1686, this tune was associated with Christmas. Later in the 19th Century, versions of words and music mostly ended with a refrain, “Oh Christmas Day” and one of the most popular of these is “What Child Is This?” written in 1865 by William Dix.
A favorite of any Christmas concert would be a rendition of “Angels We Have Heard on High”. This year Mr. Rybolt chose Manheim Steamroller’s version arranged by Chip Davis and Robert Longfield. What a perfect song to end the Senior High Band’s portion of the Christmas concert.
There was a slight intermission while the Jazz Cats rearranged the stage to perform. Once they were ready their powerful sound began to blare from the trumpets, trombones, and saxophones.
An arrangement by Mark Taylor called “My Romance” featured Hannah Huls on Flugelhorn and what a tremendous job she did. The crowd was very pleased with her performance as they cheered before the Jazz Cats had finished playing.
The students always get a chuckle when Mr. Rybolt picks a piece of music that is well, a few years old. Old enough for the parents to remember, but the students have never heard the song. This year it was no different, and as Mr. Rybolt explained from the stage, “I am going to make these kids watch Charlie Brown’s Christmas this year”. Vince Guaraldi’s piece “Charlie Brown Christmas, arranged by Paul Murtha was played and the audience began to bob their heads with the music and laugh. Everyone was remembering the days of childhood watching the cartoon Charlie Brown with his little Christmas tree and one ornament.
It is always an experience to attend a band concert. There is so much talent on stage each year. You don’t have to have a student in school to attend and you will be guaranteed a great performance.
