Coal City High School Bands presented the annual holiday concert featuring the Symphonic and Jazz Bands, and Percussion Ensemble.
The jazz band is composed of 26 student musicians. For the winter concert, the group performed two songs—”Big Band Holiday” and “This Christmas” featuring vocalist Melody Kinder. Instrumental soloists for the Dec. 3 performance were Ava Meyer, Vincenzo Mugnolo, Martin Ramirez, Anthony Royster and Mayson Wantroba. The jazz band has been selected to open the Joliet Junior College Jazz Band and Jazz Combo Concert at the college’s main campus on Friday, Dec. 6.
Members of the Percussion Ensemble presented two numbers, “Escape from Pirate Cove” and “Journey to Jordan” at the winter concert.
The 60-member Symphonic Band presented three songs and its closing number featured Coal City choir director Michael Kren and members of the community in a holiday sing along. The band began with “Ukranian Bell Carol,” and a history of the popular tune presented by band member Jaiden Lemman. A medley of songs made popular by the Christmas movie, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” followed and closing out the concert was a Christmas “Pop” Sing-A-Long featuring “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer,” “Silver Bells,” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”
The high school instrumental music program is directed by Annie Ternes.
Members of the Symphonic Band are:
Flute—Lily Brewster, Caroline Childers, Kylie Jones, Aiciry Rodriguez, Sam Vota, and Ava Meyer [piccolo]
Oboe—Lavila Wantroba and Mayson Wantroba
Bassoon—Mackenzie Messina
Clarinet—Gianna Balistierri, Lorelai Erhard, Melody Kinder, Hailey Ledesma, Hunter Meyer, Dahlia Rivera, and Emmaline Tribble
Bass Clarinet—Olivia Sage and Rhaina Vanek
Alto Saxophone—Cora Armstrong, Sawyer Chapman, Rae Kraus, and Logan Polarek
Tenor Saxophone—Grace Heatherwick and Vincenzo Mugnolo
Baritone Saxophone—Landon Eaton
Trumpet—Abby Kodat, Ben Obert, Maddie Potuznik, Jacob Riggs, Anthony Royster, Grace Sitar, William Van Cura, and Meadow Viano
French Horn—Giovanni Bruno, Jaiden Leman, Olivia Vota, and Reese Watts
Trombone—Wyatt Chase, Hunter Hite, Blake Knight, Brody Promis, Abi Rose, and Nick Votta
Euphonium—Kyla Kohler and Michael Venegas
Tuba—Khloe Anders, Xavier Baer, and Martin Ramirez
Bass Guitar—Shaun Polarek
Percussion—Jacob Cimino, Anthony Dowell, Lindsey Duran, Nathan Foster, Linden Greenan, Paisley Jackson, Cameron Minuth, Hunter Patterson, Brady Pierson, Liam Seeley, and Parker Vota
The winter concert season continues this week with the Fifth and Sixth Grade Band Concert on Thursday, Dec. 5. The high school choral concert follows on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The middle school band will present its concert on Dec. 17 and the holiday concerts conclude with the middle school choirs on Dec. 19. All performances begin at 7 p.m. in the Coal City Performing Arts Center, and are open to the public. Additionally, the annual Coal City High School Madrigal performances will take place Friday, Dec. 13-Sunday, Dec. 15. Madrigal tickets can be purchased at https://coalcity.revtrak.net/high-school-/#/f/cchs-madrigal-holiday-concert-and-play