The official MICCA performance arrived tonight. And with it, the DHS band performed the final show at MICCA Fest on the Friday night.
The performance included three songs that were performed quite nicely...even better than on Wednesday. And, the band sounded great.
Although Emmie and I left before awards, Kiff came home later that night and told us they earned a Silver award. Congratulations to them.
Friday marked the first official DHS football game at home. Of course, it also marked the return on DHS Marching Band, which is always fun.
As we have for the past two years, Emmie and I are volunteering to help out...which has always been a fun thing to do. This year, we are helping to coordinate volunteers for the half time show, which is a salute to Alice in Wonderland. Now, it is weird to only have one student in band again, now that Bri has moved onto college...though she thinks she might do band next year there.
The show itself is entertaining. DHS stepped it up this year, evening getting special costumes for the Alice in Wonderland effect. And it looks pretty good (though, it appears the boys are not full fledged fans of the shirts). The first show went well, with the first two songs a resounding success. Kiff has two interesting parts in the show - a tug of war with another student while playing the trumpet with one hand and a solo before the send of movement two.
Show one went down nicely...and the football team, with many of the kids Kiff played flag football with, ended up winning, too. All and all, a nice day for DHS.
I just got in a few minutes ago, from helping to put away tables at the DHS Pops night. Although I am a little bit tired - and just dropped Kiff and his friend AD, to his house, I felt I had to make sure to write this down immediately after it happened.
Tonight was Bri's last time performing in Band on the DHS stage. In fact, it might be her last band performance ever, which is so hard to believe. Years of playing flute, that started in 4th grade at Highlands, has culminated in this moment.
The Pops night Gala was a fun and memorable night. We actually somehow got tickets right up front, which was amazing. It was neat to see band and chorus members up close and see exactly how they sound. We saw many of Bri's and Kiff's classmates and friends on stage.
And it was hard to imagine that - for the seniors (who were given special shout-outs all night) - this was their final show.
They played four memorable last tunes - a Chicago (musical) medley, Beuaty and the Beast medley, Bruno Mars medley. They capped it off with a song the Seniors played as freshmen, called "Ruckus."
It was quite a great scene. There was a brief reception after as well, where we got to see so many of the families we have gotten to know over the years, particularly the Dawes, whose daughter wrapped up tonight as well. She and Bri have done gymnastics, dance, and scouts and eventually Band together. What an amazing run!!!
It is hard to believe this musical adventure is over for Bri. But, I am hoping there are many more!!!
Bri and Chiff had their annual holiday winter concert tonight. As usual, it was an amazing concert. The DHS band performed five songs for the evening. Bri was a featured flute soloist for one of them, which is always fun to see...and hear.
The night ended with the traditional "Sleigh Ride." It was a ton of fun to hear because they invite DHS teachers to perform. It was an amazing sound!
All and all a great performance....and a fantastic final winter sendoff for Bri.
Both Bri and Kiff were in attendance for the parade, though it was Bri's last parade. Unlike years past, when Emmie and I watched from the Boston Common, we actually sojourned down to the Boston Public Library area and watched the beginning of the parade, then followed the band all the way to the end.
It was quite a parade. Clearly, word has gotten out about the parade, unlike the first year, when there were only a few spectators. There were quite a few DHS families in attendance, which was fun to watch as we went through the streets.
I think I took about four videos from different locations. The band played their standard military tunes, which were always amazing!!! The wrapped up at City Hall Plaza, booming their music off the buildings that lined the streets there. I found a picture on the Berkeley Beacon above of Nathan, Natalie, and a few other band members from today.
While we were there to see the Falcons, there were several other fun groups as well. There was a small Civil War re-enactment group. There were several military groups. The USS Constitution sailors also showed up, as well as an East Boston Junior ROTC group.
Afterward, they went over to Quincy Market and had lunch. Emmie and I did as well, and did a little quick shopping, like we always do. All and all, it was a great and glorious day for a parade.
First, Bri appeared on stage as part of the flute ensemble. They did a fantastic job performing a collection of songs from Zelda. After the ensembles performed, chorus did. We were able to see a some students that our kiddoes know really well...which was fun. They sounded great.
Then it was time for Bri and Kiff to perform with concert band. They sounded AWESOME!!! They performed three songs and sounded fantastic. Although we could not see Kiff - the trumpets were in the back - we definitely could hear them. Bri was first flute and more visible up front...even if the track light above her was out, creating a dark spot on stage.
The show got a standing ovation from the audience, including the superintendent, who sat next to us, and said, "You must be really proud..." which was cool to hear.
All and all a great spring concert!!!
This Wednesday, December 20, we went to the annual DHS Christmas Concert. This was the first year Bri and Kiff were in the same concert, which was amazing.
The concert began with the chorus singing. They did a splendid job. Then, there was the saxophone ensemble. They did great. Finally, the DHS band performed.
They were able to take on some different songs than they could in the past. That is because they finally have band all meet at one time. Their songs included several interesting winter ones that were mellow and light. Bri had two solos in one of them. They performed Undertow, which was a hyped up song. And they ended with a classic version of Sleigh Ride, which teachers joining in as well and their principal on the percussion that makes the "snap" sound of the whip. This rendition was as good as the Boston Pops!!!
It was a fun way to usher in the final three days before vaction.
Last night, Bri took part in the first annual Honors Band Night at Salem State College. The band was comprised of select members of North Shore bands. She was one of six students from Danvers chosen to be part of the one of the two bands to perform. She was part of the Blue Honors Band.
We did not know what to expect, but it was quite a show. It was held in the small musical theater at the college which resonated with the bands performing. it was quite powerful and - gotta admit - almost as good as the Pops!
Bri performed as one of the flutes. They played four songs, including "In Bleak MidWinter" which was ironic because it was 50°F outside.
All and all, a great night!!!
Kiff and Bri were both in it this year as well. They took the bus and I met them in Boston parking at the garage near Faneuil Hall. Unfortunately, Emmie had a migraine, so I was running solo.
Although I was at the Common waiting for quite some time - so much so that it looked like there was no parade going on. I was interviewed by two people from the Emerson student newspaper because I had my Falcons jacket on. However, once the parade got rolling down our street, it was a spectacle.
The band sounded amazing...as you could tell from the people watching it. It even paused where I was - which gave me the chance to cross the street and get some nice pictures (I tried to be better than most people watching the parade, who rushed across during any break they found).
One the band passed, I followed it down. The route was a little longer this year - it went down to City Hall Plaza. The way the sound echoed off the buildings made it seem like the band was three times its size.
Once they disbanded, they spent some time at Fanueil Hall and then went home. It was an amazing event!
November 3, 2023 was a little different than we expected. The Danvers football team had a home playoff game - they had an amazing year with a 6-2 record after an 0-2 start.
The band had to perform both in the stands and their halftime show at the game. Emmie had a migraine for the game, so I flew solo on that one.
The halftime show went well. In fact, it was one of the best of the season. I even got to hear Bri get announced (they got her name correct). Perhaps the best part of the day was the game itself. The team was up 17-0 with two minutes to go in the half. Blackstone Valley raced back to make it close. With three seconds to go, and Danvers up by 1 point, Blackstone had a chance to kick a field goal from the 10 yard line. However, Danvers rushed in and nicked the ball, sending it wide right. Danvers won at the last second and they made it to a second game (against Dedham) in the playoffs.
Kif decided to do something different this year. He decided to join the Pep Band at school. This band performs for DHS sporting events. Tonight, he went to his second performance, playing for the DHS boys basketball team.
Although the team lost, the Pep Band had a great performance!
First, it was a wild experience being back at Wakefield High. By all accounts, the last visit I made there was for my cousin Elizabeth's graduation back in 1986 or so. It was definitely wild to be there...and I made sure to make a memory as I walked up the hill to the football field. Although a vague memory, I still can see me on the bleachers close to the field.
Anyway, fast forward 36 years and there were Bri and Kiff competing on the field. And what a competition it was. They were performing in front of a variety of people, judges, and high school performers. And they did exceptionally well.
Although they came in fourth place (out of four teams in their division), their score was an 85, which was good enough for a Gold Medal. And, because it was their first time in this competition, the judges were impressed with what they did. All and all, a fabulous memory.
Danvers Public Schools hosted their first ever annual jazz night last night...almost two years after it was originally planned before Covid-19 shut everything down (ironically, two years to the day yesterday).
What a great night!!! There were a whole host of performers last night from the 7th grade jazz band and 8th grade jazz band, to the DHS Sax quintet and DHS jazz band. Also, the Pharos Sax Quartet joined as guests artists.
There was an eclectic catalog of music performed last night. Kiff's band started it off - becoming the first band ever to perform at the DPS Jazz Night. There song final drive started the night on a solid tone. It kept on rolling from there. Songs like "In the Mood," "Take Five," "Cantina Band," beloved jazz standards, rocked the night. The Pharos Quartet played a special song just for parents and grandparents to sing along to - "Mah Na Mah Na" - from the Muppets.
Perhaps the most amazing sight was when all the jazz bands, including the guests bands, got up on stage to perform Night Train together. It was amazing to see what all of the eight trumpets from the jazz band (including Kiff) sounded like when they all played together. That was quite a way to wrap up the day!!!
It was quite a night...and a fun way to celebrate Tony's birthday (he came with us). I know my Dad, Mom 2, and Dad 2 would have loved it.
Though the concert only last 90 minutes, the memories will linger on forever. Kudos to all of the bands.
