Spring-Ford Bands & Strings Night of Music

Submitted by: George Growcott, Spring-Ford HS Marching Band Cood.

Photos by Andreina Erwin

Tuesday evening December 17th was filled with the sound of music which filled the stage of the Spring-Ford HS 10-12 center.  The evening started off with the String Ensemble under the direction of Mrs. Emily McGranahan.  This growing and ever improving ensemble presented a wide variety of music from Camille Saint-Seans, “Carnival of the Animals” to Hopkins holiday favorite “Carol of the Bells”.  Special talents by a number of students during the Strings presentation by Ben Latey, Danielle Armstrong, Isabella Cieri, Madeline Herman, Katie Giesa and Rebecca Loomis.  The Spring-Ford School District can truly be proud of the continued growth and developing musical level of this growing program. 

Next to take the stage was the 12 member Honors String Ensemble also under the direction of Mrs. McGranahan which performed three wonderful pieces, again featuring solo work by Ben Latey on violin.  The highlight of their presentation was “Fantasy on Amazing Grace” which was very well received by the appreciative audience for the efforts of the students and Mrs. McGranahan. 

Next to that the stage was the Spring-Ford Concert Band, whose membership is made up of the freshmen students of the high school with a few upper classmen to help fill needed music parts.  This year’s 33 freshmen under the direction for Mr. Seth Jones performed three musical pieces ranging from David Holsinger’s “On a Hymnsong of Phillip Bliss” to Robert W. Smith’s arrangement of Leroy Anderson’s “Christmas Festival”.  These young musicians performed very well, showing that they intend to continue the high level of musical excellence which is expected from the Spring-Ford band program.

Taking the stage next was this year’s edition of the Spring-Ford Symphonic Band, whose membership is made up of students in grades 10-12.  This talented group performed again under the direction of Mr. Jones four pieces of music by such music masters as Malcolm Arnold, Gustav Holst, Eric Whitacre and one of the masters of the holiday’s Leroy Anderson.  The band closed also with a Leroy Anderson piece, the ever popular “Sleigh Ride” to the audience approval.

The evening closed with the Spring-Ford High School “Award Winning” Marching Band presenting their 2013 Production of “Strange Paradise”.  This year the Golden Ram Marching Band had another exciting and record season which, after being honored by the Spring-Ford School District, performed Friday evening December 6th in the cold and rain were Crowned the Grand Champions at the West Chester Holiday parade out of 15 high schools from PA and DE.  The band performed their “Strange Paradise” arranged for them by Dr. Andrew Yozviak, percussion by Mr. Daniel DeLong and pit percussion by Mr. Michael Thomas with the pride and energy for which Spring-Ford’s band has become known.

This evening truly showed off the instrumental musical skills and talents that are present in the Spring-Ford High School and the continued support of arts in the district something very special in which all in the district can take pride.