Musical Penguins

The Central Aroostook Community Band held its Annual Winter Concert on Monday, December 8 at Presque Isle Middle School. Students and staff from MSSM filled the audience to hear a full night of live music and to support three members of the MSSM community on stage.

Music Instructor Brett Vanderlaan joined the band on clarinet. Math and astronomy instructor Larry Berz also played clarinet. Junior Hurst Burnett performed on bass clarinet. All three played in the ensemble alongside local musicians from the local area.

The program featured a mix of classic and modern pieces. The band performed “America the Beautiful” with guest vocalist Teresa Parady. They also played “Little Suite for Band” by Frank Erickson. A highlight for many students was music from “How to Train Your Dragon” by John Powell, arranged by Sean O’Loughlin. The concert closed with “Wild Maine,” arranged by Heather Hastings.

Reflecting on the performance, Mr. Vanderlaan said, “The piece by Heather Hastings was fascinating because it really captured the spirit of Maine with the ocean, the woods, and climbing Katahdin.”

The concert gave our students a chance to see their teachers and a fellow student performing at a high level outside the classroom. It also showed how community music groups like the Central Aroostook Community Band bring together people of different ages who share a love of making music.