The highly talented musicians and vocalists from J.W. Dodd Middle School combined to present a wide variety of quality entertainment at their annual Spring Festival of the Arts, held at the high school.
The Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Candice Mordhorst, set the high standard for the program with their crisp performances of five selections, including Alan Lee Silva's "Blue Ridge Run." Dividing these orchestral groups were vocal sets presented by the Select Chorale under the direction of music teacher Sherill Spruill. Ms. Spruill later directed the Vocal Tapestry Jazz Ensemble through two numbers, including a finger-snapping rendition of The Ad Libs' soul hit "The Boy from New York City."
The Jazz Ensemble, directed by Adam Rubin, further enhanced the evening's tone with their offering of "Cool" from Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story, followed by slick arrangements of the jazz standard "All of Me" and the Cuban classic "The Peanut Vendor."
The Mixed Chorus, also directed by Ms. Spruill, performed "Earth, Drum, Dance" and "Tama Tu," followed by an emotional tribute to District Coordinator of the Arts Anne-Marie Hudley-Simmons, who is retiring at the end of this school year. Ms. Spruill, a one-time student of Ms. Hudley-Simmons and now a colleague, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the retiring educator and presented her with a beautiful music box that plays "Unforgettable."
The Concert Band played a trio of songs to end the program on a high note, starting with their arrangement of Henry Mancini's "The Peter Gunn Theme" and finishing with Randall Standridge's seductive "Snake Charmer."
