The Blue & White

By Kaylie Lam

The Band Jamboree took place in March, Wednesday the 27th and was held in the MHS gymnasium. The Band Jamboree is a district-wide band concert and is performed by a district-combined 5th grade band, a district-combined 6th grade band, a district-combined 7th grade band, a district-combined 8th grade band, and Methuen’s own Ranger Band. Along with the two musical pieces that are performed by each band, the Ranger Band played a piece combined with the 8th grade band. After these performances, the Ranger Band and middle school bands played Stars and Stripes Forever all together while Methuen’s JROTC stood in the middle of the gymnasium, holding a variety of American States flags.

The 5th grade combined band, led by conductor Mr. Shaun Smith, kicked off the Jamboree with Bandroom Boogie, arranged by Michael Sweeny, who displayed great drive. Next, the 6th grade combined band, led by conductor Mr. Paul Delabruere, performed Apollo Fanfare by Robert W. Smith. Following the 6th grade band was the 7th grade combined band, led by Mr. Nick Abruzzese, who performed Caribbean Carnival written by David Bobrkwitz. Finally, the 8th grade combined band, led by Mr. Brian Fulks, played The Streets of Madrid by John Moss.

After the 8th grade band performance, the 5th grade band performed their second piece, When the Band Goes Marching In by Victor Lopez. Next, the 6th grade band performed G-Force Five! by Ralph Ford. Then, the 7th grade band played Crunch Time! by James Swearingen. Finally, the 8th grade band played The Last Stagecoach Heist by Travis J. Weller, ending the middle school bands’ performances.
Following the 8th grade band performance, the Ranger Band played two pieces of their own. Led by Mr. Brian McGonagle, better known as G, and Mr. Eric Poster, better known as Poster, the Ranger Band performed The Great Locomotive Chase by Robert W. Smith and Raiders March by John Williams, arranged by Jay Bocook. After the Ranger Band’s performance, the 8th grade band joined the Ranger Band and performed Red Giant by Jorge L. Vargas- together.

The Band Jamboree ended with Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa, arranged by Micheal Sweeny, which was played by the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and Ranger Band together. The combined bands played proudly as the MHS JROTC stood in the center of the gymnasium holding a few American States’ flags.