On Wednesday, Dec. 10, the Gables Band of Distinction presented its annual Holiday Concert in the auditorium. As the curtains opened promptly at 7 p.m., the Beginner Band began to perform. The Band of Distinction then took the stage to perform Hands Across the Sea, On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss and Sleigh Ride. The students in the band program had been practicing each piece since the beginning of the school year.

“The last couple years … we haven’t had consistent concerts. Before, [the band] always did two concerts a year, and that’s something that we will reimplement again starting this year. The concert really showcases the whole concert band playing,” Band Director Ms. Morrow said.

Introducing the Color Guard by grade level, the freshmen and sophomores performed the Christmas classic Jingle Bell Rock. The Color Guard juniors and seniors then performed Peppermint Winter. All of Colorguard then joined to perform Human.

“My favorite part of the concert was definitely performing. Being on stage and playing is a wonderful experience, it’s nothing like rehearsal. Yes, we get nervous but there’s nothing like looking down and seeing your friends and family see the final outcome of all your hard work, or the feeling you get when you know you finished a piece and didn’t mess up,” sophomore Lourdes Flores said.

To close the night, the Jazz Band performed Stardust, Sesame Street, La Samba Prima and the Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. Don’t miss out on next year’s Winter Band Concert!