On Wednesday, December 18, the middle and high school bands performed their holiday ensemble in the high school auditorium.

The middle school band performed three pieces including: “Prestige,” “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer,” and “The Tempest.” Mr. Zachary Caine is the director of the 7th and 8th grade band. Caine thanked Mr. Kurt Cessna, Mrs. Erin Knepper, and the parents of the students for helping with the concert before turning the show over to Cessna.

Cessna, the 9th to 12th grade band director, began by informing the audience that the band had five “pretty big, hard-hitting pieces.” The High School Concert Band performed “Fantasia For Christmas,” “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day,” “O Holy Night,” and “A Festive Christmas.” Cessna said the third song was the first piece he ever conducted with a group of high school students. The band’s fourth piece went through a compilation of many traditional holiday songs. The band finished with “Sleigh Ride,” allowing the Jazz Ensemble to get ready to perform.

The Jazz Ensemble played five songs. There were minor technical difficulties to get the house lights on and orchestra lights off, but after that, the performers began. The first song “Gonna Fly Now” featured solos by Jenna Diem on tenor saxophone, Sam Rodgers on the drum set, and Bella Dienes on trumpet. The second song “Nutcracker Swing,” featured solos by Rosenberger, Dienes, Emma Dale on piano, and the entire trombone section. The third song “The Christmas Waltz,” featured solos by Rosenberger and Sarah Yeates on trumpet. “My Favorite Things” featured a solo by Rosenberger, and the Jazz Ensemble concluded with “The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year.”

Before the final song, Cessna acknowledged Lily Davie, junior, who had her final concert last night before moving to Brookville. He said she has given four amazing years to the program.

In closing to the program, Cessna reminded everyone that Punxsy will be the host school of District Jazz this year. He said more information will be coming home along with the students some time soon.