Portland Schools Fall Music Concert: A Smash Hit!

I do not have a child, grandchild or any relative who performed at Tuesday’s “Sounds of Fall” Concert featuring the Middle School Choir, High School Choir, Middle School Band, High School Band or the High School Jazz Band. So, I was under no obligation to attend the Fall Music Concert held last night at the High School Auditorium. But, after watching and listening to Portland’s High School Marching Band perform at home football games this fall, I decided to check the concert out on behalf of The Portland Beacon. I was not disappointed. A standing room only audience was treated to a great concert. Mike Sulecki, Portland School’s Music Director, has got the Portland School’s music program hitting on all cylinders right now and the music is great.

It started with the Middle School Choir singing “Jubilate Canon” before concluding with “This is Halloween”. The High School Choir followed with “Autumn Fires” before turning the stage over to the High School Jazz Band’s rendition of “St. James Infirmary”. Then Sulecki brought out the 6th grade Beginning Band, featuring their very own crowd-pleasing pink unicorn. Sulecki explained how the 6th graders have been working on mastering only five notes together and then carefully nurtured them through “First Performance” before noting that it is rather unique to have beginners in band perform so early in their development, to which the audience gave a warm round of applause.

Next, Sophomore Mya Collins, who is taking independent piano study with Sulecki, performed a lovely solo rendition of “Autumn Leaves”. The 7/8 Grade Middle School Band followed with three numbers including “Dr. Rockenstien:, Footprints on the Moon” and “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?” Then, Tough Luck, a highly talented student led Jazz/Funk Band that models itself after the band Lucky Chops, got the audience involved in their rocking rendition of “Danza”.

The very talented drum line of the Portland High School Marching Band, performed in the dark, while wearing glow sticks and other neon-lit paraphernalia. Then while the auditorium was still dark the High School Marching Band entered from the back of the auditorium in similar neon-glow-stick outlined uniforms playing a rousing version of “Hooked on a Feeling” before completing with “I Want You Back” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”.

If you missed last night's performance, you’ll want to catch the “Winter Concert” which will be held on December 17th at 7:00 PM. Its free, but you’ll want to come early because if its anything like last night there won’t be much standing room available. Portland’s 44th Annual Day of Music is scheduled for Saturday March 21st from 9am-5pm.