By Jim Beers, Contributing Writer
CHESTER – The Chester Grade School Spring Concert was held Thursday April 28 at 6:30 p.m. The annual event was held at the Chester High School Colbert Gymnasium to allow for maximum seating for spectators and ample floor space for the 5th, 6th, and Junior High Bands as well as the Junior High Chorus.
Pictured are the winners of the 2022 Chester Grade School Band and Chorus Music Awards. (Left to right): Steve Colonel, CGS Choral Director; Megan Zimmer, “Outstanding Vocalist Award; Maddie Stauffer, “Most Improved 8th Grade Band Member Award”; Addie Gottschammer, “Director’s Award for Outstanding Leadership”; David August, Erin Liefer and Jason Sibley, “Outstanding Instrumentalist Awards; and Sue Colonel, CGS Band Director. Jim Beers Photo
The evening began with CGS Principal Bill Grafton welcoming everyone and praising the musicians and CGS Band Director, Sue Colonel and Choral Director, Steve Colonel for doing such a great job in preparation for the event. Assistant Principal, Tim Blair was also in attendance to show support for the musicians.
The 5th Grade Beginner Band was first to perform under the direction of Sue Colonel. The beginners made their initial debut in December at the annual Christmas Concert. Mrs. Colonel praised the group for the vast amount of improvement that they have made since starting in the fall of 2021.
Sue Colonel directs the CGS 5th Grade Beginner Band at the 2022 Spring Concert. The band was playing, “Premiere March” by J. Swearingen. Jim Beers Photo
The 5th Grade Band performed, “Premiere March”, by J. Compello; “Creatures in the Attic”, by B. Balmages; and “Rockin’ the Blues”, by Feldstein and O’Reilly.
Mrs. Colonel said, “The beginners had to start their musical careers under terrible conditions wearing masks and being stared seated six-feet apart in the fall, but that they all adjusted well and made amazing progress in spite of the less-than-ideal conditions.” The band performed very well much to the delight of the “packed house” at Colbert Gym.
The CGS 6th Grade is shown playing, “Abandoned Treasure Hunt” by R. Rice as directed by Sue Colonel, CGS Band Director. Jim Beers Photo
In between the 5th Grade Band and the 6th Grade Band performances, Mrs. Colonel praised all of the students that participated in the 2022 IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest. She had every student stand and be recognized for their award-winning performing performances.
This year there were 53 performances by CGS students at contest. Of those, 44 were solo performances, and 9 were ensemble performances. Of the 44 solo performances, 36 were instrumental and eight were vocal.
Altogether, CGS musicians brought home (3) Superior ratings, (44) 1st Place ratings, (4) 2nd Place ratings, (1) 3rd Place rating and (1) 4th Place rating.
6th Grade Band was next on the program and filled prior expectations as they were performing for their second year-in-a-row and in their second CGS Spring Concert. The group was bigger and more experienced than the Beginner Band and demonstrated a higher level of skill and showmanship.
The 6th graders performed three songs including, “Above and Beyond”, by J. Swearingen; “Abandoned Treasure Hunt”, by R. Grice; and “Flight of the Dragonfly”, by R.W. Smith.
Mrs. Colonel praised the group for their excellent performance and noted how well they had advanced since the beginning of the year.
While the students moved all of the percussion equipment to prepare for the Junior High Band performance, Mr. Colonel took the opportunity to encourage students and parents to please continue their involvements in the music programs once they entered high school.
Colonel said, “Many students think that they won’t have time for music once in high school. I work with all of the coaches and other teachers here at CHS and we almost always work out arrangements for students to be able to maintain their sports and studies and still stay in band or chorus.”
“Music is something you can use your entire lives. It is well worth the effort to continue music throughout high school and the rest of your adult lives.”
Colonel then asked everyone to attend the CHS Spring Concert to witness what takes place in the secondary music programs at CHS. He was of the opinion that once junior high students actually see how rewarding and fun band and chorus is in high school, that they and their parents may decide to continue involvement in music at CHS. The high school concert is Tuesday May 10 at 6:30 p.m.
The Junior High Chorus, under the direction of Steve Colonel, was next to perform.
Steve Colonel introduces all 8th Grade Chorus members in their final performance in a CGS Spring Concert. There were 17 total recognized for their years of service. Jim Beers Photo
Prior to the performance, Mr. Colonel introduced the (17) 8th Grade Chorus members who would be singing in their final concert at the grade school level. All but two also played in the Junior High Band.
8th Grade Choral students included the following: David August, Jacob Casteel, Amelia Crawford, Johanna Frazer, Addison Gottschammer, Liam Holland, Bianca Howard, Trinity Jones, Brayden Juenger, Luke Kennedy, Erin Liefer, Aiden Lyons, Chance Murphy, Jason Sibley, Olivia Vasquez, Elizabeth Wilson, and Megan Zimmer.
The CGS Junior High Chorus sings, “Sing with Jubilation”, by J. Estes, as directed by Steve Colonel, CGS Choral Director. Jim Beers Photo
After the 8th grade choral introductions were complete, the entire Junior High Chorus took the stage and performed five songs. Accompanist was Vicky Beers. The performances included, “Sing with Jubilation”, by J. Estes; “Give Me Your Stars to Hold”, by Teasdale and Gray; “This Little Light of Mine”, by M. Hayes; “For Good”, arr. M. Huff; and “A Tribute to Queen”, arr. M. Brymer.
The chorus did a wonderful job of singing and the crowd showed their approval throughout the portion of the concert with loud applause.
At the conclusion of the choral performance Mr. and Mrs. Colonel praised the efforts of the Junior High Band and Chorus at the 2022 IGSMA Organizational Contest. The band and chorus made history this year as both earned “1st Superior” ratings from all three judges in their performances.
“In past years, either one or the other, band or chorus, earned all “1st Superior” ratings from all three judges, but 2022 was the first time in school history that BOTH band and chorus earned “1st Superior” ratings at the same time in the same year”, said Colonel.
“Judges’ comments were also very complimentary from all judges and both the band and chorus were praised for their overall performances”.
Prior to the start of the Junior High Band performance, Mrs. Colonel recognized the 8th Grade Band members. They, like the chorus members, would be performing their final spring concert of their grade school careers. There were (35) 8th Grade Band members, 15 of which were also in chorus.
8th graders included David August, Alicesyn Baker, Aaliyah Berkbuegler, Hayden Cartwright, Jacob Casteel, Gabriel Coffman, Amelia Crawford, Reed Creason. Santino Decker, Mackenzie Deimund, Johanna Frazer, Addison Gottschammer, Emily Gruenewald, Natalie Guetersloh, Anthony Hernandez-Huerta and Ivan Hobbs.
More 8th graders were Liam Holland, Bianca Howard, Trinity Jones, Brayden Juenger, Ryan Junger, Trevor Keeton, Erin Liefer, Aiden Lyons, Chance Murphy, Rylie Myers, Evan Richardet, Kaylee Rogers, Jason Sibley, Madison Stauffer, Mason Straight, Jakob Stueve, Brayden Tucker, Elizabeth Wilson, Adyn Winchester, and Megan Zimmer.
The CGS Junior High Band performs, “The Navy Trident March”, by R.W. Smith as directed by Sue Colonel, CGS Band Director. Jim Beers Photo
The Junior High Band performed three songs including, “The Navy Trident March”, by R.W. Smith; “Lake of Sorrows”, by R. Standridge; and “Legend of the Eagles”, by D. Schaffer. The band performance was excellent and enjoyed by all.
Prior to the grand finale, Mr. and Mrs. Colonel announced the winners of the 2022 Band and Choral Awards. Mrs. Colonel presented Maddie Stauffer with the award for being the “Most Improved” 8th Grade Band Member.
The “Director’s Award” for outstanding band leadership was earned by Addie Gottschammer. Sue Colonel also presented three awards for “Outstanding 8th Grade Instrumentalists”. The recipients were David August, Erin Liefer, and Jason Sibley. Mr. Colonel presented the “Outstanding Vocalist Award” to Megan Zimmer.
Steve Colonel and Sue Colonel direct a combined 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Band for the Grand Finale of the 2022 CGS Spring Concert. For the closer the bands played, “Junk Funk”, by K. Mixon. The song was a huge hit with music fans as it involved numerous percussion instruments that were played in front of the combined bands bands. Jim Beers Photo
To close out the 2022 CGS Spring Concert, the 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Band Members combined to perform one huge number that featured all of the percussionists who were spread across the front of the band as they performed, “Junk Funk”, by K. Mixon.
The “junk” portion of the song featured the percussion section using all sorts of items as percussion instruments. This closer was a huge hit and had everyone taping their toes to the rhythms and music.