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The Thompson High School Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble treated parents and community members to a night of charming melodies during the Thompson High School Pre-MPA Concert on Feb. 11. (Reporter photo/Noah Wortham)

By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

ALABASTER – After the last note rang out from a dazzling performance by the Thompson High School Wind Ensemble, the crowd wanted more and shouted, “Encore” before being treated to one last enthralling piece.

The THS Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble treated parents and community members to a night of charming melodies during the Thompson High School Pre-MPA Concert on Feb. 11. The free concert was held at THS’ Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m.

“In the grand scheme, it was probably the best showing from all of the ensembles as a whole at any concert since I’ve been at Thompson,” said Graham Bennett, director of bands at THS. “That’s not a discredit to anything before since I’ve been a Thompson, it’s just a true representation of the growth of the staff and the students and the community.”

The THS Concert Band opened the show with the performance of three pieces conducted by Associate Director Rebecca Reinhardt. The concert band’s show featured “Darklands March” by Randall D. Standridge, “Fivefold” by Michael Oare and the bewitching closer “Arabian Dances” by Roland Barrett.

Associate Director Corey Hyman directed the THS Symphonic Band during the second show of the evening with “El Relicario” by Jose Padilla, “How Sweet the Sound” by Brian Balmages and the dramatic epic, “Fate of the Gods” by Steve Reineke.

The THS Wind Ensemble led the final show of the evening with Bennett conducting “Molly on the Shore” by Percy Grainger and “The Seal Lullaby” by Eric Whitacre. The ensemble closed out their show with a performance of “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin featuring a sly, jazz-infused clarinet solo and exploratory piano accompaniment that was delivered by Dr. Rachel Park, associate professor of piano at Jacksonville State University. After the Wind Ensemble ended their show, the requests for an encore led Park to deliver a surprise performance featuring a piece that infused South Korean folk music with “Amazing Grace.”

“It was an absolutely beautiful way to close out the concert, and honestly, I didn’t even know she was going to do it,” Bennett said. “So, it was even a special surprise for me. It was an amazing night with an amazing pianist in person.”

The Thompson High School Pre-MPA Concert was held as a way to give the students a chance to perform professionally in front of their parents and the community while also shaping up their music reading skills in preparation for the upcoming annual state Music Performance Assessment. During MPA, judges from around the state, and some outside the state, will assess the students’ ability to perform music and read music on a scale against other students across Alabama.

“It’s typically one of those things that typically you’d feel nervous about because you’ve got a lot of things to do and a little bit of time but (for me) nervous isn’t even the right word. I’m excited,” Bennett said. “I’m excited for the kids to get to show off to these incredible judges, these adjudicators from around the state, and honestly show off everything they’ve done. Knowing that we’ve got a few weeks to work on that and how far along they already are, I’m just proud and excited for them and I’m just looking forward to hearing what they put together and the final product come the beginning of March.”

Bennett expressed his gratitude for all of the staff members that help make the band programs possible and able to perform at the level it does.

“I always like to thank Dr. Wayne Vickers, Dr. Wesley Hester, the incredible school board of Alabaster City Schools, our administration, our parents and our community,” Bennett said. “I’m going to throw a special thanks to the incredible students at Thompson High School for just allowing me and my incredible staff to lead them and conduct them through such incredible performances.”

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