Nashville School of the Arts Band Conservatory Concert: A Night of Music, Emotion, and Transition

By Kelvin Graves

After just seven short weeks of intense preparation, the dedicated and talented students of the Nashville School of the Arts’ Band Conservatory Concert Band took to the stage to showcase their hard work. On Monday, September 23rd, 2024, NSA hosted an outstanding performance featuring both the Concert Band and Wind Ensemble, drawing in an enthusiastic audience excited to witness the musical brilliance of the students.

Reflecting on the success of the concert, Director of Band and Orchestra, Mr. Michael Rosson, expressed his pride in the students, stating, “We’ve worked really hard.” He also emphasized the challenge of the past week, noting, “This week really tested the band's capability of learning music quickly and performing at a high level.” His words encapsulated the effort put in by the students and their resilience in overcoming the pressures of a fast-paced rehearsal schedule.

The evening’s program was nothing short of extraordinary. The Concert Band's performance was opened by 12th-grade class representative and Euphonium first chair, Kelvin Graves. From there, the band delivered a captivating lineup, including As Spirit Soars by Cristina Huss, There Will Come Soft Rains by Robert Sheldon, Rippling Watercolors by Brian Balmages, and the exhilarating Aztec Fire by Jay Bocook. Each piece demonstrated not only the technical skill of the musicians but also their passion, which filled the concert hall and resonated with the audience throughout the night.

For eight senior members of the Concert Band, this concert held particular significance, as it marked their last first concert before they graduate. These seniors, including AuShaundra Yarbrough, Saiyuri Dumas-Thompson, Maddie Clark-Gray, AiJayden Crawford, Sisalee Arriola, Ky Holmes, Glenndarius Humphries, and Kelvin Graves, have been key contributors to the success of the ensemble over the years.

When asked how they felt about this milestone, two seniors shared their emotions. AiJayden Crawford, the saxophone first chair, expressed mixed feelings, saying, “I felt a mix of emotions. One, because I’m a senior in high school, and two, because it’s happy knowing that at the end of this school year, I’ll be entering a new chapter of my life.” Similarly, Glenndarius Humphries, a tenor saxophone player, added, “I was happy to be performing, but I was also ready to get it over with.” Their sentiments reflect the bittersweet nature of senior year as they prepare to leave behind the familiar and embrace new opportunities.

This concert was not just a testament to the students’ musical abilities but also a reflection of their personal growth, perseverance, and the transitions they are about to face. As these seniors embark on their final year at NSA, the concert served as both a celebration of their accomplishments and a reminder of the exciting futures that lie ahead.

For those eager to catch another performance, the NSA Band Conservatory will be hosting upcoming concerts on December 4th, 2024, February 25th, 2024, with a final spring concert date to be determined.

In Wind Ensemble, the concert was opened by Band Conservatory Representative Mark Mehany. Following that the Wind Ensemble played Flight of the Thunderbird by Richard L. Saucedo, Sure on this Shining Night by Samuel Barber, Steel by Randall D. Standridge. This was six seniors last first performance. When asked how they felt, one senior Maddie Clark Gray mentioned the happiness of concert day, and the saddens of this being the last first concert of the year.