The Malad Middle School and High School Spring Concerts were held on Monday, May 15, 2023, with large crowds of family and friends in attendance to hear the bands and choirs perform.

The 6th and 7th grade choirs each performed two numbers. The 24-member 6th grade band performed three numbers, including “William Tell Slides Again,” featuring the trombones. During the theme from “Jurassic Park,” a T-rex roamed the gym, delighting the audience.  The Intermediate Band, comprised of 36 7th and 8th graders, performed four numbers. The bass clarinetists, Hope Briggs and Delfinia Horne, had stand-out parts on “Dark Ride” by Standridge.

Between the Middle School to the High School concerts, Tyler Wilson performed an original song that is available on Spotify.

The High School Concert began with Director Foster Garrett announcing that the Concert Band had received an “Excellent” rating at District Contest. The 28-member Band performed five band favorites, including “The Lost Lady Found” and “Horkstow Grange” by Percy Grainger and “First Suite in Eb” by Gustav Holst.  Luke Skywalker walked around the band as it closed with John Williams’ “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.”

The High School Choir performed four numbers, including an acapella arrangement of a New Zealand folk song. Sarah Young and Josh Pickett were soloists on “You Say.”

The Chamber Choir, whose 15 members are selected through auditions, performed five numbers. Solo parts were sung by Natalie Webster, Aubree Palmer, Lindi Young, Joe Willie, Bridger DeJong, Tyler Wilson, Gavin Price, and Raegan Smith. The members of the choir formed two lines to perform an African work song.  Their closing number was “Take On Me,” which was composed for the acapella group Pentatonics. 

At the close of the concert, the seniors in the band and choirs were joined by their parents as they were recognized. Senior music students are Bridger DeJong, Erin Wright, Alex White, Kaleigh Worrell, Raegan Smith, Gavin Price, Sarah Young, Daniel Lenaghen, and Brayden Searle.  The students presented Mr. Garrett and choir accompanist Lorna Hess with thank-you gifts.

Tubas donated to band program

During the High School Spring Concert on May 15, Music Director Foster Garrett recognized the efforts of the Idaho Commission on the Arts, Stotz Equipment, and Michael J. Hess and Hess Pumice Products in procuring instruments for the band program. A grant from the Commission on the Arts resulted in the purchase of two French horns, a drum kit, and a bass drum.  A donation three years ago from Mike Hess was used to purchase a small tuba, and Mike generously donated money through Hess Pumice this year for a full-size tuba.  A donation from Stotz Equipment was used to buy a second full-size tuba. Mike Hess, who played the tuba in high school, expressed his enjoyment in hearing tubas in the bands once again.