OAKHURST – It’s a holiday music lover’s delight as bands and choirs from area schools join together for the Yosemite High Winter Concert this Thursday, Dec. 6, at Mountain Christian Center.
Yosemite High Bands, Percussion and Choir will perform together with neighboring students from Bass Lake Bands in the Bass Lake School District (BLSD), presenting a variety of music, ranging from the Renaissance period to contemporary favorites.The choirs from both districts will combine to present Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus, and the grand finale will feature the choirs and bands together, under the primary leadership of Yosemite’s band director, Randy Hyatt.
Careful listeners may also hear the sweet strains of collaboration and creativity, as students of varying ages, in differing grades and attending separate schools, play together despite the challenges they may face in actually rehearsing together.
In order to shore up the band program while fielding nearly-constant cutbacks, both BLSD and Yosemite districts have crafted a new program that seems to be working quite well.
“We are especially eager to let our community know about the progress of the Bass Lake Band students who have been sharing music with the Yosemite High Concert Band,” says Hyatt. “This will be a debut performance for a group of beginning Bass Lake students directed by Assistant Pat Mierkey.”
Oak Creek Intermediate (OCI) Principal Nicole White appreciates the new arrangement, which began in August and involves students from OCI going regularly to the Yosemite High School (YHS) campus.
“Students attend band class four days a week as an elective course. We are thrilled with the wide variety of experiences they have enjoyed this year, studying and playing alongside some of the YHS students,” says White. “We know that the students’ and instructors’ hard work will pay off this year and in the future, making the YHS band even stronger through this incredible feeder program.”
Besides traditional favorites like Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, concert-goers can also look forward to a smashing rendition of Deck the Halls with Rock and Roll. Prepare thyself to be greatly entertained.
The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are just $4 at the door.
For more information contact Yosemite High School at 683-4667.
Mountain Christian Center is located at 40299 Highway 49.
