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Community Corner

ALL-CITY BAND CONCERT AT HPHS

This February, the Highland Park community comes together for the annual All-City Band Concert featuring musicians of all ages. This concert combines the instrumental music students from the three junior high school bands in District 112 with the students in the Highland Park High School Band. This concert takes place on Wednesday, February 12, at 7:00 PM in the Main Auditorium at Highland Park High School.

In this setting, younger students have the opportunity not only to perform but also to hear performances by their older compatriots. The community of Highland Park has the opportunity to hear music representing a large range of its student talent. Daniel Whitworth, a senior in the HPHS Band, reflected
on his experience, “I have come so far since middle school. When I was in seventh grade I was able to see and hear the talent of the older students and that helped provide me with a goal to achieve.” 

The Highland Park High School Combined Bands will perform “Light Cavalry Overture” by Franz von Suppe and “Soaring With John Williams” a medley arranged by Paul Lavender featuring the main titles from “Superman,” “Empire of the Sun,” and “Star Wars.” The HPHS Jazz Ensemble will provide music while stage changes take place, including Chick Corea’s “La Fiesta,” Dave Brubeck’s “Blue Rondo Alla Turk,” and Duke Ellington’s “Take the A Train.”

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The District 112 Honor Band will perform “The Matrix” by Gary Fagan and Robert W. Smith’s “The Great Locomotive Chase”. The 112 Honor Band is a unique program that brings approximately 40 middle school students together on Friday afternoons for a 90-minute rehearsal. The students spend approximately half the rehearsal working on music fundamentals and the other half on music
to be performed. During rehearsals they sit alongside high school students
who help instruct them and serve as role models. It is a chance for middle school students to go beyond the experience they have in their own middle school programs.

The Combined District 112 bands will feature sixth, seventh and eighth grade students from Edgewood, Elm Place, and Northwood junior high schools. They will perform a march titled “American Volunteers” and a mysterious and exciting piece by Robert W. Smith called “Rites of Tamburo.” The directors of the middle school bands are Margaret Delligatti at Northwood, Matt Taylor at Elm Place, and Emily Barbarigos at Edgewood. The high school bands are directed by Dr. James Hile, who is in his final year at HPHS.

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This is the second year the All-City Band Concert will be held in the auditorium, with better acoustics and better seating, after being held for years in the high school gymnasium. We hope you join us for this wonderful evening of music-making. Admission is free. 

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