The Chester High School Band, Jazz Band, Sound Effect, and Concert Choir held their annual Spring Concert on Tuesday, May 7.

The Sound Effect started off the night with the Star Spangled Banner. The Jazz Band then took the stage performing their three contest pieces; Centerpiece, arr. Mike Story; The Evening Sun, arr. Doug Beach and George Shutack; and Beantown Blues Parade, arr. Rick Hirsch.

The Sound Effect sang their three contest pieces; God Bless the Child, arr. Steve Zegree with soloist Alison Venus; Save the Last Dance for Me, arr. Kirby Shaw; and finished with Old Devil Moon, arr. Paris Rutherford with soloist Jacob Wingerter.

Mr. Colonel then recognized his four year band and chorus students. There were four, four-year choir students; and fourteen, four-year band students.

Concert Choir then performed their three contest pieces, plus one piece that the choir picked. They started off with Just Believe, by Pink Zebra; then This Little Light of Mine, arr. Mark Hayes; My Country ‘Tis of Thee, arr. Mary McDonald; and finished with From Now On, from The Greatest Showman, arr. Roger Emerson with soloist Jacob Wingerter.

Mr. Colonel then presented the various awards for music. The first award was the Amanda Kahre Memorial Award, an award presented to the most improved first-year Swing Choir (Sound Effect) member. The recipient was Abby Bollman. The next award was the Chorus Arion and Arion runner up. The runner up was Jacob Wingerter and the winner was Caitlin Elsea. The next award was the Frederick Allmeyer Memorial Award, presented to the most improved sophomore band member. The winner was Tyler Holm. The next award was new this year and was presented in honor of Brad Eggemeyer. The Louis Armstrong Jazz Award was presented to a student in the Jazz Band. The winner was Jakob Cushman. The next award was the Wayne Thorne Memorial Award, an award presented to the senior that shows the most leadership in band. This award was presented to Caitlin Elsea. The final awards were the Band Arion and Arion runner up. The runner up was Dayton James and the winner was Jacob Wingerter.

The Sound Effect then came back to the floor to perform four more numbers that had dancing involved also. Jimmy Gardner did all choreography work for the Swing Choir Sound Effect. Their first piece was Defining Moment, by Pink Zebra with soloist Mallary Vasquez. The next song was Believer, arr. Mark Brymer with soloist Jenna Bierman. Flashlight, arr. Mac Huff was the third piece with soloists Melody Colonel, Jaci South, and Lydia Heck. The final piece was Feel It Still, arr. Mark Brymer.

Mrs. Coop then presented the theater awards from this year’s production Annie. The first award she presented was the Director’s Awards for Commitment and Dedication. There were three recipients this year, Melody Colonel, Emma Draves, and Mallary Vasquez. The next awards were the Four Year Senior awards. Next was the Outstanding Vocalist award. There were three recipients, Melody Colonel, Elizabeth Soellner, and Jacob Wingerter. The final award was the Outstanding Characterization Award. There were 7 recipients of this award, Melody Colonel, Lydia Heck, Wyatt Johnson, Elizabeth Soellner, Brianna Surman, Jacob Wingerter, and Blake Zappa.

The CHS Concert Band finished the concert with their two concert pieces and one patriotic piece. Royal Scotch Highlanders, arr. Gene Milford started off the band’s section. The Witch and the Saint, arr. Steven Reineke and Armed Forces Salute, arr. Bob Lowden finished off the band’s performance and finished the concert.