On December 12, the Brighton High School Band Ensemble played their last songs together for the 2024 band concert season.
The three separate bands that played, Concert Band, Wind Symphony and Wind Ensemble, each played an assortment of pieces—ranging from holiday classics, like “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson, to more ensemble-challenging pieces, such as “Sunburst” by Morales.
The holiday concert is loved by many people within the community. It’s a time to celebrate the holidays while listening to festive music.
Richard Suminski, a grandparent to student Conner Suminski, said, “Music is something that can be enjoyed for your whole life, whereas, for example, you can’t play football for your whole life because you get old. Music you can enjoy your whole life; it’s important to the community.”
Suminski also noted how Brighton’s dedication to the arts has contributed to the community as a whole, reaching beyond just students at BHS.
“I think Brighton has been very progressive with the performing arts and the many different kinds of entertainment to this center for the citizens of Brighton; it’s been very well received and very important to me,” Suminski said.
Many people also expressed their amazement at the featured percussion section during the concert when the high school percussionists played “Tentacles” by Jon Willmarth, a piece of music that highlights the complicity of the percussion section.
When asked how she felt about the holiday concert this year, junior trombonist Savannah Mroz said, “I feel that working with our new director, Mr. Swinkey, really helped us open our views on music to be more positive, and it helped push us towards success and made this year’s concert[s] one of the best yet.”
After the concert, when asked what his feelings were about his first holiday concert with the Brighton Bands, Swinkey said, “The Brighton bands and I had a wonderful time at our first holiday concert together. All three bands gave respectable performances, and I felt that the way we played all of our pieces showcased every side of our playing. It was a night of energetic, sensitive and spirited music, and we received a lot of compliments from audience members on our performance. I hope that every BHS student and staff member gets a chance to see the Brighton bands perform this year!”
Overall, the perception of this year’s band holiday concert was a very positive one. This kind of concert is adored and loved by the Brighton community.
