The Moapa Valley High School Band has had a busy and productive year. With more than 30 performances at school football and basketball games, concerts and festivals, their spring concert for the 2025-2026 school year brought music, memories and emotion to the MVHS theater stage as students closed out another successful season. Family members, friends and community supporters gathered to celebrate the hard work and dedication of the young musicians and their teachers.

The concert featured performances by the concert and jazz bands, with special guests from Mack Lyon Middle School joining the concert band for the final piece. Special thanks were expressed to Dr. Kenna Higgins and her staff for setting up the sound, lighting and onstage seating. Gratitude was also expressed toward MVHS Principal Duane McMinn, Assistant Principal Mitchell Ozaki and student success instructional facilitator Lisa Cornwall, for their continued support of the music programs.

Band director Sean Tyler praised the students for their commitment and perseverance, noting the important role music programs continue to play at MVHS, a school with a longstanding tradition of student achievement and community involvement. He said, “I don’t want to say how many years I’ve been in the [Clark County School] district, but this is by far the best place to work. Thank you for coming tonight. I appreciate you supporting your students. It’s wonderful to work with them.”

The evening commenced with the jazz band performing five numbers: “Take the “A” Train,” written by Billy Strayhorn and featuring solo performances by Quinton Leavitt and Grant Conger; “Almost There” by Randy Newman, featuring vocal soloist Brielle Williams; “Malaguena” by Ernesto Lecuona, with solos by Quinton Leavitt and James Harding; “When I Fall In Love” by Edward Hayman and Victor Young, with solos performed by Dane Coder, vocals, and Joel Blake on bass guitar. The final number was “Picasso,” written by Jon Anderson, with soloists Elle Parkinson and James Harding.

Following a brief intermission, the concert band took the stage. They performed four numbers: “Director’s March,” by F.E. Bigalow; “A Hymn for Band” by Hugh Stuart and “The Light of Dawn” by James Swearingen. They were joined by the Mack Lyon Middle School concert band for the final number, “Mister Joe,” by Harold Bennett.

Mr. Tyler gave special recognition to graduating seniors Aisha Bushman, Grant Conger, Gabi Dominguez, Sydney Hatch and Bradach Meline. He said, “They all really helped me out a lot this year with keeping things going and keeping me going straight. And so I really appreciate them. We’re losing some tremendous senior leadership.”

For these seniors, the concert marked a final bow after years of performances, competitions and school traditions. The audience responded with enthusiastic applause as the students were recognized for their contributions to the band and school community. Mr. Tyler also acknowledged Ms. Rousseau, the band director at Mack Lyon Middle School. He said, “She makes my job easier, because when the students come up here, they can already play. I appreciate that very much.”

As the final notes echoed through the theater, the concert served not only as the end of the season but also as a celebration of friendships, accomplishments and Pirate pride.

The final band performance was held Friday, May 22, at the graduation ceremony, with participation from the school orchestra.