Christmas with the PHS Band and Orchestra

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By Cherilyn Elder and Megan Ballamis

Payson High’s concert band, orchestra and jazz band did phenomenally at their Christmas concert December 13.  Jazz band opened up the concert with six songs. Instrumental solos were done by Abby Bennion, Josh Tracy, Grace Heaps, and Nathaniel Meyers.  A vocal solo was performed by Karanda Heimuli.

 Orchestra played next.  One of their songs, “Fiddle Like the Dickens,” featured students as soloists: Kari Thompson, Dallin Johnson, Sam Hayes, Jessica Barker, Ryeley Butler, Jenna Wright, Cherilyn Elder, Chloe Thompson and Taelyr Mortensen.

They sounded very prepared and did a really good job at staying together with the rhythm.

“My goal was to have everyone feel good about the performance.  It’s all about self-esteem and confidence,” said Mr. Collins, band and orchestra director.

Symphony orchestra, consisting of concert band and orchestra, performed last.  Rachelle Wilkinson, Stewart Evans, and Christianna Ward played solos.  One of symphony orchestra’s songs, Pirates of the Caribbean, threw off the Christmas groove but was intense and fun to listen to.  The last piece, O Holy Night, sounded beautiful and was a great finale to the concert.

“We all did well because we put in a lot of personal practice time,” said bassoon player Gabby Hammond.

The band and orchestra also performed in the Fine Arts assembly on December 21.

Attributions
By Cherilyn Elder and Megan Ballamis
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