Written by
Erin Lauters, SMT Writer
Dexter, Missouri - T.S. Hill Middle School Band hosted their annual Christmas concert on December 19, 2013. The band was split into three groups- 6th grade, 7th grade, and 8th grade.
The bands were under the direction of Jim Wade, Scott Rybolt, and student teacher Cody Jinkerson. These three musically inclined men took holiday classics and gave them new direction. The program started with a welcome, with no empty seats in the stands and people lining the walls to see their children. "Well this solves our problem with having not enough people," Wade later joked.
The 6th grade band kicked off the concert on a cheery note playing "Jolly Old St. Nick" by Bruce Pearson. They then played "Up On The Housetop" by Chuck Eiledge. Their third and fourth pieces, both written by Bruce Pearson, were "Angels We Have Heard On High" and "Deck The Halls". Their fifth and final piece was "Oh Come, All Ye Faithful" by John Francis Wade.
The sixth graders waited patiently then (or at least most of them did) while The Trashmasters played their tune. The Trashmasters are a group made of six boys who have a way with rhythm. These boys met before and after school to practice their uncommon talent- playing on trash cans. The group includes 8th grader Sean Rybolt, and 8th grader Matthew Chesser, who originally play in the percussion section, 8th grade Aaron Wells, who originally plays baritone (he plays trombone in high school Jazz band), 8th grade Dylan Long, who plays baritone saxophone, 8th grader Logan Elders, who plays Alto saxophone, and 7th grade percussionist Joe Rice. This group played a song entitled "Stinkin' Garbage" by Ed Argenziano.
The 7th grade band played, in this order, "Home For The Holidays" arranged by Eric Osterling, "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" arranged by Mike Story, "I'll Be Home For Christmas" arranged by Kim Gannon, "Trombones on The Housetop" written by Mark Williams and featuring the whole 7th grade trombone section and some duet on the trumpet section's part, and "Holly Jolly Christmas" by Johnny Marks. The 8th grade band played "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" by Johnny Marks, "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" arranged by Michael Story, the patriotic "Last Full Measure" by Michael Sweeney, "Santa Meets Sousa" arranged by Mark Williams, and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" arranged by John Edmondson. This cheery concert put all in the Christmas spirit.
In the pictures are the 6th grade band, Trashmasters, Trombone Section, 7th grade band, and 8th grade band.
