5th Grade, 6th Grade, & Jr. High Bands and Jr. High Chorus wow packed house; 35 8th Grade musicians say good-bye to CGS
BY JIM BEERS Contributing Writer
CHESTER – Thursday April 27 the Chester Grade School Music Department held its Annual Spring Concert. The event was held at Chester High School’s Colbert Gymnasium where there was plenty of space on Rocky Bridges Court. Both the performers and a “packed house” of parents, family and friends had a comfortable atmosphere in which to enjoy the music.
Principal Bill Grafton and Assistant Principal, Tim Blair were on hand to greet both visitors and musicians prior to the start of the program. Sue Colonel, Band Director, and Steve Colonel, Vocal Director, led the musical portions of the show, while Vicky Beers was Piano Accompanist for the Jr. High Choir.
2023 Chester Grade School Spring Concert Music Award winners were announced Thursday April 27 at the Annual Spring Concert. Pictured (left to right) are Steve Colonel, CGS Choral Director; Kendall Nanney, Outstanding 8th Grade Vocal Award; Anna Menefee, Director’s Band Award; Macy VanZandt, Director’s Band Award; Aiden Davis, Outstanding 8th Grade Instrumentalist Award; and Sue Colonel, CGS Band Director. Jim Beers Photo
The evening kicked-off at precisely 6:30 p.m. with a warm welcome from Principal Grafton. He praised the musicians for their hard work and accomplishments this year and gave credit to the parents for all of their support since the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year.
Mrs. Colonel introduced the 5th Grade Band to start the program. Colonel said, “These kids have improved so much since the beginning of the year. You will see their improvement tonight and they will impress you.”
The concert featured three songs. The first was, “Heroes and Glory”, a march by J. Swearingen. The second was “Name Those Tunes”, arr. by J. Edmondson. This song featured many tunes well known by most of the older parents and guests, but some of the young musicians were too young to be familiar with a few of the tunes. On the whole, however, the musicians had a great time performing the oldies-but-goodies!
The CGS 5th Grade Beginner Band wowed the crowd at the 2023 CGS Spring Concert. The group played three featured songs and “knocked-’em-dead” Jim Beers Photo
The final selection of the 5th Grade Band was a real crowd-pleaser and featured both CGS Administrators, Mr. Grafton, and Mr. Blair, along with the 5th Grade teachers, including Tammy Liefer, Trish Handel, Sue Furuholmen, and Kristine Heiman.
The name of the tune was, “Garage Band”, by M. Story, and featured the staff members playing numerous “garage-type” make shift instruments such as electric drills, hammers and blocks of wood. This song was very entertaining and fun to watch and listen to!
The next group to perform was the 6th Grade Band. This band was in its second year of existence and Mrs. Colonel noted that they had improved from last year when the musicians were beginners.
The 2023 CGS Spring Concert was held Thursday April 27. Pictured here is the CGS 6th Grade Band which was featured performing three songs for the packed house at CHS Colbert Gymnasium. Sue Colonel is the CGS Band Director. Jim Beers Photo.
The 6th Graders played three songs starting with “An American March” by J. Edmondson. Next they performed a lively tune titled, “Traffic Jam” by T. Loest. The 6th Graders ended their portion of the program with, “The Tempest” by R. Smith. This group received a huge round of applause.
Immediately following the conclusion of the 6th Grade Band, and just prior to the start of the Jr. High Chorus, Steve Colonel, Vocal Director, introduced the 8th Grade Choral students. Those 8th Graders included Nevaeh Armbruster, Abby Chartrand, Tasia Foulks, Jack Kennedy, Brookelynn McLain, Lilyana O’Connel, Hannah Stueve, Monica Anaya*, Isabella Holland*, Chelse Mathis*, Hannah Hoskin*, and Kendall Nanney*.
The five students with an asterisk* behind their names are members of both band and chorus. The other seven students are members of the chorus only.
During the performance of the CGS 5th Grade Band, Sue Colonel, CGS Band Director, invited several Special Guest musicians to perform a fun-filled tune titled, “Garage Band” by M. Story. Pictured with the band are Principal Bill Grafton, Principal; Tim Blair, Assistant Principal; and 5th Grade Teachers, Trich Handel, Tammy Liefer, Kristine Heiman, and Sue Furuholmen. The guest musicians did a wonderful job and added a bit of humor to the performance. Jim Beers Photo
Following the introductions of the Jr. High 8th Grade Chorus Members, Mr. Colonel led the Choir in singing three songs. The first was, “A Light House of Hope, A Song of Peace.” By M. Burrows. The second performance was “We Shall Overcome” by R. Dilworth. To close out the Choral portion of the program the Jr. High Chorus sang, “You Are a Yes”, by M. Burrows.
Prior to the beginning of the Jr. High Band segment of the show, Sue Colonel, CGS Band Director, introduced all 8th Grade Band members. There were 27 in all including Monica Anaya, Anthony Armenta, Logan Brace, Landen Conder, Aiden Davis, Elizabeth Dicknetite, Zane Eggemeyer, Victor Fuentes, Hayden Gibbs, Alex Gunning, Sam Hall, Lennon Hobbs, Isabella Holland, and Hannah Hoskin.
Steve Colonel, Chester Grade School Choral Director, makes one of several announcements during the 2023 CGS Annual Spring Concert Thursday April 27th. Jim Beers Photo
Other 8th graders included Kross Jany, Cooper Kochanski, Karim Landeros, Chelsie Mathis, Kiara Mathis, Aidan McKinney, Anna Menefee, Kendall Nanney, Olivia Sellers, Rylee Shemonic, Zoey Tucker, Macy VanZandt, and Katie Werner.
Mrs. Colonel also asked for all band and chorus members who competed in the IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest and Organizational Contest to stand and be recognized.
Sue Colonel, CGS Band Director, presents the 2023 Outstanding Instrumentalist Award to 8th Grader Trombonist Aiden Davis at the 2023 CGS Spring Concert. Jim Beers Photo
To close out the regular portion of the 2023 Spring Concert Mrs. Colonel introduced the Jr. High Band and they performed three selections. The band started with a lively march titled, “March to Castle Rock” by M. Williams.
The second song was, “Alpine Meadow” by S. Hodges. The final selection was, “Trails of Glory” by J. Swearingen. All three tunes were well received and brought a rowdy round of applause.
Next up was the moment everyone had been waiting for…the 2023 CGS Music Awards including Outstanding 8th Grade Vocalist; Outstanding 8th Grade Instrumentalist, and the Director’s Awards for Band.
The 2023 Chester Grade School Outstanding Vocalist Award is 8th Grader, Kendall Nanney. Presenrtig the award to Kendall is Steve Colonel, CGS Vocal Director. Jim Beers Photo
Mr. Colonel presented the Outstanding 8th Grade Vocalist of 2023, Kendall Nanney. The Outstanding 8th Grade Instrumentalist was presented by Mrs. Colonel. That award was earned by Aiden Davis, Trombonist. This year Mrs. Colonel presented two Director’s Awards. One was earned by 8th Grader Anna Menefee and the other was earned by 8th Grader Macy VanZandt.
Mr. and Mrs. Colonel made several announcements before closing the show. First of all, the Chester Music Patrons is in the process of conducting a 50/50 drawing to help 7th and 8th Graders and high school freshmen and sophomores earn money for the 2025 Florida Band and Swing Choir trip. Tickets are now on sale from any of those members. The drawing will be held Tuesday May 9 at the CHS Spring Concert.
The Chester High School Spring Concert is Tuesday May 9th at Chester High School Colbert Gymnasium at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday May 18 is Chester Grade School Graduation. The event is held at Chester HIGH SCHOOL Colbert Gymnasium at 6:00 p.m. 6th and 7th Grade Band Members will play for the event.
Sue Colonel, CGS Band Director, and Steve Colonel, CGS Vocal Director, direct a massive 6th through 8th Grade Band to close the 2023 CGS Spring Concert. The huge group rocked CHD+S Colbert Gym as they played “Crazy Train” made famous by “Black Sabbath” lead singer, Ozzy Osbourne. The particular arrangement was arranged by J. Vinson. What a better way to close out the show! Jim Beers Photo
To end the very successful and entertaining Spring Concert, the CGS 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Bands combined to play the popular rock song, “Crazy Train” arr. by J. Vinson.
Ozzy Osbourne made the song well known in the 70’s when he was lead singer of the band, “Black Sabbath”. This was a fitting way to end the concert with feet tapping and hands clapping.