Music is in fact a universal art form that transcends boundaries and culture. It brings people together through melodies and rhythms that resonate profoundly within our souls. At our school there is a long tradition of two annual concerts: Winter and Spring. On Tuesday, December 10th, the students of Queens Preparatory Academy gathered in the auditorium for their annual Winter concert. The event started at 5:30 PM, with a warm atmosphere for an evening of musical delight.
Celebrating The Year
This year’s Winter concert was particularly magical, featuring songs that marked the year, covered holidays throughout the year, and celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month. The concert this year introduced us to the Beginning Band, but also featured the Advanced Band that played a variety of pieces. Mr. Robert Benson, QPA‘s advisor and music teacher, took the time to introduce the Beginning Band and talk about the pieces before each performance. His pride in the students was evident as he spoke, highlighting their hard work and dedication.
For Mr. Robert Benson, music holds a special place in his heart. He told us, “Music is supposed to be fun.” When talking about the set up for everything, he mentioned, “practice and playing music in front of an audience are two different things.” He emphasized that performing is crucial because it’ll help students get over their fears. That’s why “performing is most important,” he said. He expected them to enjoy themselves, adding, “Music is something you share with others.”
Music and Dance Come Together
The Beginning Band kicked off the night with ‘I can’t feel my face’ by the Weekend and ‘Beggin.’ After their set, there was a special dance performance of ‘Winters All I Want For Christmas’ by the students of the Cosmetology Club under the guidance of their teacher Ms.Onwualu, who also did a great job with the Christmas decoration demonstration. The Beginning Band then returned to the stage to play two more songs, showcasing their growing talent and confidence. Their performance was met with enthusiastic applause, a testament to their hard work and dedication. For many of these students, it was their first time performing in front of an audience, and they truly shone, setting a high bar for future performances.
After this impressive showing, the Advanced Band took the stage, delivering an equally captivating performance. However, it was their renditions of ‘Dark Red’ and ‘Poison’ that truly captivated the audience. These two songs, chosen by the students, seemed to hold a special place in their hearts, and it felt like a tradition that everyone eagerly anticipated. You could tell that the crowd had been waiting for these particular performances, as the reaction was overwhelmingly positive. The concert continued with more music from the Modern Band, making it a memorable night for everyone involved.
According to the performers and audience, the evening was a great success and a magnificent experience for those who attended!
Jayden Kennedy a sophomore who played in the beginning band, said, “It was pretty exciting. I could hear people clapping and cheering.”
Nathaniel Seatts, a junior in the advanced band, also said, “It was an overall great evening! Before playing I was kind of nervous but also confident because we practiced really hard.”
One might think the students’ views are a bit biased since they were the ones playing. So, I caught up with QPA ESL teacher Mrs. Ruckdeshel, who said, “I thought it was fabulous, everyone played very well. I’m very proud of all of them. They fulfilled all my expectations. I was laughing, clapping and enjoying the music.”
Then I talked to a parent who said, “The concert was very nice and productive. All the performers were shining, and the songs were very well performed!”
One could guess that everyone who was there didn’t leave with any disappointment!
Exploring Different Cultures
Adding to this, although he didn’t attend, Mr. Amaya the assistant principal was the one who made the flyers and the program. He really liked the diverse songs and how the bands were from different backgrounds. But he felt it should be more about the representation from different cultures “Add more music from each of our students’ own cultural background.”
“Activities like this allowed students to see school as a more welcoming environment” he said. Mr Amaya also thinks that the events should be held more during the day, and I think we all agree with this because the lack of people present and the empty seats were really loud. He suggested that we advertise more, maybe a “random demonstration in the gym, the cafeteria or the hallway” where we have a lot of students, and make sure that all the flyers, and announcements are translated into different languages. “Once in a while, play some music to motivate our students.”
Overall, this concert was everything and more. I think it was definitely a great closure to the year, welcoming the arrival of winter. An event where the talent and passion of our students shone brightly! Stay tuned for upcoming musical events that promise to be just as spectacular. For those who missed it or are new, I hope you will join us and discover the enchantment of the upcoming events. As I’m sure the future performances are sure to leave you wanting more.
