The year-end concerts of the Malad Middle School and Malad High School bands and choirs were on Thursday, May 12, in the high school gym. Parents, family members, and friends of the students filled the north side bleachers to hear these groups perform.

Under the direction of the band and choir teacher, Mr. Foster Garrett, the Malad Middle School Concert began with the 6th Grade Choir performing two novelty numbers: “This Ol’ Man” and “Mother Goose Meets Mozart.” The 7th Grade Choir stretched their talents by singing “A Two-Part Alleluia,” in which “alleluia” is the only word in the song, and “All the Beautiful Colors” in Spanish and English.  

The Beginner Band, comprised of students who began playing instruments for the first time this year, performed three numbers. Mr. Garrett stretched the talents and abilities of the Intermediate Band by having them play three numbers originally composed by Johannes Brahms, Aaron Copland, and John Williams.  Williams’ “Highlights from Harry Potter” was especially popular with the students.

At the conclusion of the Middle School Concert, Mr. Foster paid tribute to choir accompanist, Patsy Bybee, who is retiring at the end of this school year. Patsy has faithfully been at school every day for three years to play for both the middle school and high school choirs. Mr. Foster also mentioned the contributions of Chalae Teeples in helping with the band percussion section and thanked Michael J. Hess, who played the tuba when he was in high school, for his donation of the new tuba to the bands.

After a short intermission, the Malad High School Concert began with the Concert Band performing the numbers they had played at Music Contest. Bruckner’s “Hymn of Praise” is a difficult number that bands are required to perform at Contest. The band also performed two light numbers, “Piper’s Rhapsody” and “Jump in the Line,” and a solemn rendition of “It Is Well with My Soul.”

The Concert Choir, comprised of 24 students, sang four numbers, including a spiritual and the popular “Lift Me Up!”  The Chamber Choir, for which the 15 members must audition, performed three numbers based on religious themes plus the entertaining “We’ll Rant and We’ll Roar.”

At the conclusion of the concert, Mr. Garrett recognized the students who had gone to District and State Contest as soloists. Accompanists Patsy Bybee and Trudy Ward were given gifts of appreciation. The senior members of the band and choirs and their parents were honored for their contributions to the music program. The students also presented Mr. Garrett with gifts of appreciation.