Mack Lyon Middle School Bands Play Spring Concert

By MAGGIE MCMURRAY

Moapa Valley Progress

An impressive display of musical talent greeted parents and family members of Mack Lyon Middle School band members as they packed the school gymnasium on Thursday evening for the final band concert of the school year.

Under the direction of conductor and band teacher Nick Waters, the bands each took a turn performing several songs and showing what they’d learned for the year.
Waters had the venue set up so that the concert could proceed with a minimum of disruption. Kids in multiple groups moved around and stands were shared between bands.

The Jazz Band led off the evening, performing four songs. The band is made up of 7th and 8th graders that are willing to give up their early mornings before school to rehearse together. The band performed popular contemporary hits, including, “Viva la Vida,” “Funky See, Funky Do,” “Play That Funky Music,” and “Any Way You Want It.” The band featured short solos by many students.

The Jazz Band was followed by the Concert Band, made up of 7th graders in their second year of band. The Concert Band performed two numbers, “Aftershock,” by Larry Clark, and “Furioso,” by Robert W. Smith.

They were followed by the Symphonic Band, which was made up of 8th grade performers. They played, “Grand Canyon Overture,” by James Swearingen, “The Water is Wide,” arranged by Julie Griffin and featuring a flute solo by band member Sydney Landini, and “Beauty and the Beast,” arranged by Calvin Custer.

Waters told the audience that he usually didn’t have his bands play movie music, but he said that the arrangement of “Beauty and Beast” that he chose was very well done and it was clearly a favorite with the students.

The Symphonic Band was followed by the Beginning Band, made up of mostly 6th grade first-year musicians. They played Eagle Summit March and Galactic Episode, both arranged by John O’Reilly. Waters told the crowd that Galactic Episode was the most difficult song the 6th-graders had played all year due to the varying rhythms and speeds and it was a testament to their skills that they played it so well.

He then told the crowd that when he started earlier that year, all the students kept asking if they could please play Star Wars. In fact, he was surprised at how often and continually his students asked for that piece-so much so, that he looked and found an appropriate arrangement and then told the crowd, “So we will now end the evening by playing the most requested piece of music I’ve ever heard!”

Comments about the concert were exceedingly positive and it seems that Star Wars was a hit with more that just the 6th-graders. Eighth grader trumpet player Haley DuPee said, “This was a fun concert. My favorite song had to be Star Wars that the 6th graders played, but I liked Beauty and the Beast, too.”
Eighth grade flute player Julia Hardy agreed, saying, “I really enjoyed the concert. My favorite song to play was Beauty and the Beast.”

Lisa Call, whose son, Anson, was also in both the Jazz and 8th grade bands said, “It was a great concert. The sound was wonderful. I think Mr. Waters has done a fabulous job this year.”

This was Waters first year teaching at Lyon. Unfortunately, it will be his last. Waters will be moving to Chicago at the end of the school year to be nearer to his family. So thank you, Mr. Waters, for a wonderful concert and goodbye. You will be missed.