On Dec. 13 and 15, the chorus and band performed their annual winter concert. For this year’s concert, both groups dedicated the show to the jazz band teacher Roger Shew, who passed of cancer before the school year began.

“Mr. Shew’s death hit a lot of people hard, and this show was really dedicated to him because he was such a great person and everyone had so many positive things to say about him,” said senior choir member Roman Cerdas.

Band began preparing for the concert before the school year started. They attended band camp in late August, and once they were satisfied with their ensemble tone and sounds, they started working on the actual music.

“For Wind Ensemble, we had a lot of different pieces to chose from, so we just chose our best ones and worked on them a lot. We would go into our sectionals to work on the harder ones,” said senior Rosie Morreale.

Chorus started preparation during the second week of school, and they only practiced Mondays and Wednesdays, which could cause some challenges.

“It’s been really difficult because a lot of kids didn’t understand the complex harmonies, but we worked through it, and this was one of our more confident sounds,” said Cerdas.

Both groups have experienced an exceptional year so far, with their members becoming stronger and closer. Even though jazz band started only a month and a half before the concert (because of the lengthy process to secure a teacher), they still performed exceptionally well.

“I have always had good things to say about the band, and this year is no different. It is the biggest group I have ever been a part of and one of the best sounding,” said senior Elijah Meisse.

The singers and musicians both performed holiday music for the concert. Chorus sang different renditions of classic holiday songs, such as “ Variation of Jingle Bells” and “Baby it’s Cold Outside” and also non-Christmas music. They dedicated “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” from the musical Spamalot to Mr. Shew. They closed the show with the Thurston Middle School Chorus standing in a circle around the theater holding candles, while both choruses sang “Candlelight Canon.”  

“There is a solid group of kids in the class, and we all have seemed to get along and our voices sound really great together. Also Ms. Ward is so fun to have as a teacher! She nevers fails to make us all laugh and make the class even more fun,” said junior Katie Moore.

“The band performed Christmas pieces, but as a tribute to Mr. Shew they performed ‘Amazing Grace’ as an unexpected fourth song. It was special to me and many others who left the theater with happy tears,” said Meisse.

Band and Chorus are rarely acknowledged for their accomplishments and the efforts put into their concerts and performances. The band played last winter at Carnegie Hall and will play at Pearl Harbor in April. Many of the singers in Chorus are also involved in the drama and dance programs, budgeting their time in order to take part in multiple performance arts.

“As an individual, I’ve grown a lot. As a group, we’ve all been here since day one and have been able to achieve incredible things,” said senior Lili Cook.

Chorus and Band will be having a Spring concert, and will express their musical talents once again.