DECATUR -- Decatur is indeed fortunate to be blessed with a host of talented young musicians. This talent was evident during the 2015 Decatur Middle and High School band and choir concert held in the cafeteria at Decatur High on Dec. 17.
This was the first Christmas concert under the direction of Jesse Owens, who took over the music program from Kristin Wages at the end of the 2014-15 school year. Owens, who received his degree from Arkansas Tech in Russellville, reorganized the upper school's music program and split the band into a sixth grade beginning band, a junior high school band comprised of seventh, eighth and ninth graders, and the senior high band comprised of sophomores, juniors and seniors.
Each band performed 20 minutes worth of contemporary to seasonal music best suited for its individual talents and level of experience.
The Decatur High School choir opened the performance with a medley of Christmas carols. The choir was followed by the sixth grade beginning band, junior high band, and, finally, the senior high concert band.
The concert concluded with Toby Conrad, Decatur High School principal, reciting the 1834 Christmas classic, "A Visit from St. Nicholas," -- more commonly known as "Twas the Night Before Christmas" -- by Clement Clarke Moore. The band played music that, at times, was anything but Christmas. The band would play between stanzas music that best described that particular verse. For example, "Camp town Races" set the mood for the reindeer prancing on the roof top.The piece concluded with another Christmas classic, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." With that, the first Christmas concert under Owen's baton was complete.
The band and choir programs at Decatur Schools continue to grow and prosper. With the infusion of new talent working its way up from the sixth grade beginning band through the junior high program, the senior high can expect good things in years to come.
General News on 12/30/2015