John W. Dodd Middle School students presented an evening of music spanning a variety of genres during the annual Spring Festival of the Arts at Freeport High School.
Nine groups showed off their diverse and developing talents as testimony to their dedication and hard work with music teachers Adam Rubin, Candice Mordhorst, Sherill Spruill, Justin Friedman, Vashti Burke and Michael Young.
The show opened with the chamber orchestra performance of Elliot Del Borgo's "Arlington Sketches" and Jeffrey Bishop's "Orange Jam." A quick transition brought out the mixed chorus, who impressed the audience with Emily Dickinson's "Exhilaration Is the Breeze" and Rollo Dilworth's arrangement of Neil Ginsberg's "Climbin' Up the Mountain."
The concert orchestra followed with performances of Carold Nunez's "Funny Fiddlin" and ended with a rendition of Michael Jackson's "Thriller," which had audience dancing in their seats.
The concert continued with the swinging sound of the vocal tapestry jazz ensemble, followed by the jazz ensemble sans vocalists. Ray Henderson's "Bye Bye Blackbird" and Victor Lopez's "Grooved Pavement" were featured tunes. "Grooved Pavement" featured instrumental solos by Peter Muzac, Marty Scott and Kenny Martinez.
The select chorale impressed the audience with their stirring vocals on Kenneth Riggs arrangement of the African-American traditional spiritual "Sinner Man," and Stephen Hatfield's Cuban folk song "Son de Camaguey."
The concert band melodiously filled the auditorium with three tunes including Gene Milford's "Jamboree Swing March."
The mariachi added some spice to the program as they demonstrated their Latin-styled zest on Adam Romo's arrangement of "Los Machetes" and Jose Hernandez's arrangement of "Amor Eterno."
The Spring Festival concluded with the wind ensemble presenting Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Rhosymedre" and David Shaffer's "Last Ride of the Pony Express."
Audience members were encouraged to view an art gallery in the lobby created by Nancy Williams' students before and after the performance.
