The night was magical as the Valparaiso High School Band presented an evening of beautiful music to the standing room only crowd at the VHS Auditorium on Wednesday evening. Members of the "A" and "B" Wind Ensembles, and Symphonic Band joined forces to entertain the crowd with arrangements from Disney animated and film favorites. The young and young-at-heart could be seen and heard singing the lyrics to the ever popular songs of The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Enchanted, Mulan, Frozen, Mary Poppins and Pinocchio. As each piece finished, an enthusiastic applause would follow to encourage the beginning of the next song. Conducted by Miguel E. Rosario-Vega, Director of VCS Bands and event artistic director, they opened the show with the Walt Disney Overture and Band Showcase. He was assisted during the evening by conductors Wayne Coil and Christopher Blue.
"I'm excited to conduct some of the finest students in the region and we get to perform some of the coolest music written for animation" said Rosario-Vega. This concert is one of the many highlights of the program this year. He also shared that there are many similarities between the music performed during the concert to composers of the 19th century and earlier.
Along with band members, many children came dressed in their favorite Disney costume and quickly became star struck as they were greeted by their favorite movie princesses. Elsa and Anna from Frozen, Belle from Beauty and the Beast, and Ariel from The Little Mermaid were present representing A Spoonful Of Magic Princess Parties. The giddy, giggly youngsters could hardly contain their excitement as they awaited their turn to meet them! Hugs were abundant both for the princesses and their admirers
As they performed the last selection of the evening, all children in costume were invited to march across stage in a costume parade. Ashley, a first grader at Memorial Elementary shared that her favorite moment of the night was getting to go on stage.
Blue, a VHS Alum and former band member, was thrilled to be conducting during the program. "It's quite enjoyable although very, very different being on the other side of the stage."
For more information, including the upcoming performance schedule, please visit the VHS Band website at www.valpo.k12.in.us/band. The next scheduled performance is on Saturday, November 8th at 7 p.m. in the VHS Auditorium as the "A" Wind Ensemble and 8th Grade Bands from Thomas Jefferson & Ben Franklin Middle Schools host a Salute to Veterans Concert. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.