Music Department "Notes"
Music Department Launches 2005-2006 Recital and Concert Programs
The Department of Music opened the 2005-2006 calendar of public programs with the appearance of 16 students in the first AIS Chamber Players recital on October 6. The Primary School Chorus, under the direction of Ms. Peters, also appeared on the Chamber Players program. Listeners were once again delighted to hear the PS Chorus as part of the United Nations Day (October 21) and WorldFest activities (October 30). On Saturday, November 19, the 16-member Upper School Jazz Band, under the direction of Dr. Howard, performed a set of nine selections for the annual event sponsored by the BPA, Jazz in Black & White. Additionally, the band featured a student combo, "Piper’s Corner," as part of its presentation.
Music Department Presents "Sounds of the Season" Concerts December 6 and 8
A pair of concert programs, free and open to the public, will be presented by the Music Department in early December. On Tuesday, December 6, at 7 p.m. in the Auditorium, our Primary School groups will be featured. Scheduled to appear on the program are the PS Chorus, under the direction of Ms. Peters; the PS Grade 5 Band, co-directed by Dr. Howard and Mr. Soskin; and the PS Strings, directed by Ms. Welp. Additionally, for the first time in recent history, the PS Grade 4 (beginning) Band will appear on the December concert. The Grade 4 band is particularly strong this year with 27 members, certainly the largest in recent years. The band is co-directed by Dr. Howard and Mr. Soskin.
The second program, Thursday, December 8, at 7 p.m. in the Auditorium, will feature six ensembles. Opening the program will be the Middle School Symphonic Band, under the direction of Dr. Howard. One of the works to be performed, "Ancient Dances," has been an especially challenging experience for the band. Also appearing on the Middle School portion of the program will be the MS Chorus, directed by Ms. Kang, and the MS Strings, co-directed by Ms. Welp and Ms. Jemsby. Following a brief intermission, our Upper School groups will be presented, including the US Chorus, US String Orchestra, and the US Jazz Band. An especially anticipated highlight of the program will be the usual seasonal music as well as a string work by Paul Hindemith and a jazz band selection featuring Adrien Pellerin (Grade 9), piano soloist.
The conductors of the above ensembles would like to see a large audience for both concerts! Please make every effort to attend one or both of our culminating events for the year.
Music Student Honors
Eight AIS students participated in the Georgia Independent Schools Association All-Select Band and Orchestra event, held on the campus of Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Roswell during the weekend of November 4-6. Representing AIS in the Orchestra were Rocio Brandau (Grade 9), Julius Gebhard-Koenigstein (Grade 9), Celine Gendron (Grade 11), Annie Farrell (Grade 9), and Julia Taylor (Grade 11). Selected to the symphonic band were Marissa Smith (Grade 11), Cian OFaolain (Grade 11), and Rohan Thompson (Grade 9). Students worked under nationally known conductors and prepared a public concert program given on Sunday, November 6.
Charles Vanijcharoenkarn (Grade 11) was selected to the final round of Georgia All-State Orchestra auditions, to be held in January. Jessica Sachsenmeier (Grade 8) was selected to the final round of Georgia All-State Middle School Chorus auditions, also coming up after Winter Break. Cian OFaolain will be auditioning for Georgia All-State Symphonic Band in mid-December.