I just conducted 250 kids in our final band concert.

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Holy Crap!

250 grade six students all somehow played together at the same time for our final school division concert. I just don’t have the words for how big this was. There were probably a thousand people in the gym. It went incredibly well and was the best way to end the year. What a ride that was!

2
  1. Wow. That’s a lot of musicians. Well done.

How did you feel just before you brought them in for the first entry? I know when I’ve conducted choirs of only forty or so, I’ve been very, very nervous.

3

Basically I was thinking…

“Holy shit this better work!”

They did well :slight_smile:

4

As a former elementary school violinist, I have to say that I am IMPRESSED. I don’t think they could have gotten 25 of us to play at the same time! :stuck_out_tongue:

5

Yeah, these are always an adventure.

We had a district-wide concert every year when I was in school (they still have it I think). Picture five elementary school programs, three 6th, 7th, and 8th grade programs, then three more high school programs. It’s chaos.

6

Oh, CONducted. I thought you said ABducted.

Never mind.

7

When in high school our band played in a combined district concert at UC Berkeley football field. Must have been 250 or more student musicians there. The spread of the bands was so big they had to have a conductor at both sides of the stadium. I remember we did “Stars and Stripes” and two other numbers, and it all came out fairly well. (for high school band quality)

8

250, that sounds like a recipe for DISASTER…what did they play?!

9

It was so cool I still am running it over in my mind.

They were all grade six beginner band kids. We played:

O Canada
Montego Bay
Regal March
Sawmill Creek
The Silver Sceptre
Mr B.

Only one was shaky. O Canada simply was amazing. I am a first year teacher…you can imagine how many nights of sleep I lost worrying about this concert. Now I can’t wait to do it again!.

10

hahah yes!! Montego Bay and Regal March!!, I make little jokes about these pieces to my percussion section colleagues in the orchestra I’m in. “Whats on the dance card this week, I hope Montego Bay” Etc etc… (Its all very funny to us music losers). Got to love those standard of excellence books from growing up!

Congrats again!