Chesterton High School Band Throws Amazing Holiday Concert

Chesterton High School Band Throws Amazing Holiday Concert

Christmas time has many defining traits that almost everyone in America will recognize- Hot Cocoa, Peppermint everything, flurries of snow, and most of all- iconic and unique musical pieces that set the season of giving apart. Chesterton High School Band celebrated that musical tradition on Sunday with their 2017 Holiday Concert, featuring their Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and their Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble working together in the Combined Christmas Band.

The Concert was a smash hit for the packed gymnasium at Chesterton High School- the bleachers filled with friends, parents, and loved ones eagerly awaiting an epic performance by some of Chesterton High School’s most talented students.

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Mary Beth Gerth, mother of David Gerth, a senior saxophonist in both the Jazz Ensemble and the Combined Christmas Band, enjoys coming to her son’s concerts to hear great music.

“The music is beautiful,” said Gerth. “It’s a perfect day to come and enjoy it with our friends as well.”

Gerth also is proud of the way her son has grown as part of band.

“He’s enjoyed Jazz Band immensely,” Gerth explained. “This is his 3rd year playing, he enjoys being with his friends and the music is wonderful to listen to.”

The concert opened up with the Jazz Ensemble playing a lively rendition of “Greensleeves,” before welcoming percussionist and, in this case, vocalist Sailor Franklin to the stage to sing vocals for “Santa Baby,” before rocking the house with “Sleigh Ride.”

Michael Scheiber, the Band Director and Music Department Chair at CHS, was beyond proud of the immense work his students have put into preparing for this concert. Normally, the band has a little over a month between their Marching Band competitions and their Holiday Concert to prepare, however this time the band only had about 3 and a half to 4 weeks to prepare for this concert, which was lovingly dedicated to a student who passed recently, Amera Abuhakmeh.

“I’ve watched the kids grow musically, of course,” said Scheiber of his students’ development, “The thing that I’ve seen more than anything is just the amount of growth that takes place personally for them, in maturity, responsibility, and their work ethic over the 4 years that they’re here. It’s one of the biggest benefits of the music program.”

The students themselves are extremely passionate about their music. Henry Hoham, a senior at CHS and an Upright Bass player in the Jazz Ensemble and a member of the Percussion Ensemble, is especially proud of his experiences in band.

“[Being in Band] is so much fun,” said Hoham, “Music is so creative, there’re so many different things you can do with it, and it can lead you down so many different paths. So many different ways and genres to express yourself.”

For Violet Needham, another senior pianist and French hornist in the Jazz Ensemble as well as the Combined Christmas Band, music is a huge part of her life.

“I love it,” said Needham on being in CHS’s various bands and ensembles, “I’ve met so many wonderful people through it. I just love it. I love the people that I’ve gotten to work with and gotten to play with, it’s the gift that keeps on giving.”

And indeed, for the audience at the Chesterton High School Band’s Holiday Concert, the gift of music was given in spades.