Armstrong Spring Choir Concert 2018

It's been quite some time since I've been able to keep up with blogging, but I'm dropping a few videos and photos out here in the hopes I will get back to it soon.

This is one of my favorites performed by the Armstrong Chamber Singers at this past Spring concert.

Wanting Memories (Ysaye Barnwell) Performed by Armstrong High School Chamber Singers Spring Concert 2018



Henry was also home during this time so he got to see Oliver perform,  as well as join in the alumni song at the end of the concert.

The full concert is on the district website.

#justbreathe

...a good reminder...

Masterworks Concert 2016

The choir students showcased their music last night in preparation for the Spring local and regional contests coming up.  Oliver sang with the Freshmen Madrigals, Henry sang with Chamber Singers and Concert Choir. It was short, sweet & wonderful to hear them perform!

NWSC All-Conference Choir

Henry was one of many who performed in an All-Conference performance last evening at Blaine High School.  I managed to record a few parts of the songs they sang and have added them to the playlist below for friends and family who could not attend.

Enjoy!

{please excuse video quality, learning new camera}

These students auditioned for the Northwest Suburban Conference Choir, representing 14 schools, spent many Sunday afternoons rehearsing in preparation for this event. On Monday, they sang with their individual high school choirs in a clinic/exchange in lieu of attending regular classes at their schools.  Three guest conductors appeared with the All-Conference choir, band and orchestra.  Tuesday evening was the Grand Finale Concert.

The annual NWSC Music Festival provides nearly 2500 students the opportunity to work collaboratively with other students and directors from the conference schools, as well as the guest conductors.  The performance was also reviewed and critiqued by the guest conductor-clinician.

Chamber Singers | Governor's Mansion 2015

AHS Chamber Singers
Posted by Susan Fuhrmann Obermeyer on Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Annual District Fall Music Festival 2015

It was an amazing night of music! Gives me goosebumps. Makes my heart swell with joy to see the passion these kids have for music in their lives. I mean, really - take a listen and tell me that these high school student don't sound so much more polished than just a few months and joint rehearsal hours together?!  So very thankful for arts in our school district and all that it gives to the students, teachers and community.

Henry played in combined Symphonic Band

Sang in combined Concert Choirs

AHS Parade of Bands - Oct 13th, 2015

AHS Parade of Bands - Oct 13th, 2015
Video Link

Oliver is in the Freshman Band (first one to play) and is wearing a white shirt, right side of stage.

• 4:19
• 35:04
• 36:54
• 40:36

Henry is in the Symphonic Band (14:11) and is on the left-hand side of the stage.

• 20:47
• 22:53
• 29:59
• 36:00

I love a parade!

Rehearsals have paid off and these two are officially stepping off on the correct foot in their marching career.  Oliver's first year and Henry's third.  I am pretty stoked about their love of band, well, all things music to be truthful.  They make this Momma smile big and proud!

Plymouth Parade 2015

If you're looking to see them marching/playing before the seasons ends, here are a few opportunities in the month ahead:

Fri 10/2	MB - Football Game - Homecoming	7:00 PM	Armstrong Stadium
Sat 10/10	Kelly Drive Pumpkin Festival Parade	12:00 PM	SEA School
Tue 10/13	Parade of Bands Concert	7:00 PM	AHS Auditorium

Tue 10/31

Anoka Halloween Parade - Anoka, MN

1:00 PM         Mainstreet Anoka

I'm having so much fun being a band booster again this year.  It's a lot of work and a ton of volunteer hours. I remember fondly how much time my parents put into it and the friends they made with MY friends' parents.  Amazing the network of bonds you can make with like-minded souls.

I will be traveling down to Tampa to see them march at the Outback Bowl and in a parade in Ybor City in December. I am not chaperoning this trip, however, so will go as a spectator, cheer them on and take plenty of pictures! My airfare is booked and I will rent a room from a place on AirBnB.  A lifetime of memories packed into this trip for maboys and hopefully one they will remember fondly forever.

circa 1982 - my first year marching

1985 with Jon Kuno

8th Grade Choir | Oliver

As if I couldn't already be beaming with "music-Momma" pride...  the cherry on top was definitely last night!

Deo Dicamus Gratias
V. Johnson
All copyrights to original owner.  No infringement intended. 





Build Me Up Buttercup
McCauley, D'Abo | arr. Funk
All copyrights to original owner.  No infringement intended. 





He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
Scott Russell | Arr. Althouse
All copyrights to original owner.  No infringement intended. 

Siyahamba

South African Folk Song | arr. Moore

All copyrights to original owner.  No infringement intended. 

8th grade choir

Varsity Choirs | Henry

A couple of pieces from last night's performance at the high school.  I love music in the Spring. Heck, I love the sound of these kids any time, who am I kidding!


I Know a Young Maiden
German Madrigal | Orlando de Lassus
All copyrights to original owner.  No infringement intended.  

Varsity Men's Choir | Armstrong High School
Spring Concert 2015

Director Tony Rangel; Mindy Eschedor, Accompanist

Tres Cantos Navitos
Brazilian Folk Song | Marcos Leite
All copyrights to original owner.  No infringement intended.  

Varsity Combined Choir | Armstrong High School
Spring Concert 2015
Director Stephanie Trump; Mindy Eschedor, Accompanist





The Spinning Song
arr. Greg Gilpin
All copyrights to original owner.  No infringement intended.  
Varsity Madrigals Choir | Armstrong High School
Spring Concert 2015
Director Stephanie Trump

These directors really have a passion for the kids and the music they share with them. I am always blessed to be among the volunteers to get a sneak peek into rehearsal.  Music in surround sound is something they do at the end of their concerts and it's truly something to experience in person! Armstrong has a fabulous music program and I believe these kids are even more enriched and well-rounded in these young years to be a part of it.  I know both of my boys will look back on these times as some of the best in their lives. I also had fabulous music teachers back in the 80's.  I will be forever grateful to my teachers knowing what they instilled in me and that I've now passed it along to my own.

Thank you for sharing your love of all things music
& enriching their young lives, Stephanie & Tony!

Jazz Concert | Henry

Henry's first solo in a jazz ensemble.  It was a fun, toe-tapping evening!





Jazz II at Armstrong High School
Spring 2015 Concert

Tenor Madness
Sonny Rollins, arr. John Berry

PTX & MaBoys | Tweet Tuesday

As part of the boys' Christmas 2014, I purchased three tickets for us to go see Pentatonix.  I had taken Oliver the year before but knew that Henry would enjoy it too.  JP would be away visiting his brother and skiing in Denver, so the timing was good for a Mom & Sons date night.

We really enjoyed the evening with dinner before the concert and I specifically chose front row balcony for us.  Previous experience for Oliver and I was that the fans of PTX were fanatical and would STAND the entire concert.  I also knew they had a huge Twitter following.  Playing along, I took a pix of maboys enjoying the concert and tweeted it to the world.

Today's version of "lighters" at a concert

Let's just say, what happened next MADE Oliver's night.  The cherry on top.  As we were in the parking ramp and headed home for the evening, my phone notifications started blowing up.  Oliver picked up my phone and discovered that my picture was "chosen" and has been retweeted and favorited in PTX reply.  Just a "little bit" of viral for our evening and a night to remember.

The power of social media.

PTX Link

I can honestly say that I've never received so many gold stars in my life.  Or rather, I guess my association with this picture, because not many went to see the picture that was chosen.  Ha.

An evening to remember.

Oliver - 8th grade band

Oliver's last middle school band concert. He began playing trumpet in 5th grade. He wasn't sure he was going to continue into high school but has since changed his mind. Four years under his belt and moving on to Marching Band and high school in the fall. So very proud of his accomplishments in music and dedication to getting better with each year.

8th grade band

Final song combined both 7th and 8th grade bands together.

Concert Band Spring 2015

Henry played in the Spring Concert Band performance tonight.  Love a Sousa march!



Washington Post March
John Philip Sousa arr. Jay Bacook
All rights reserved to original owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Armstrong High School Concert Band
Spring 2015

Masterworks Concert 2015

Both boys were in the Masterworks Concert last night at Armstrong High School.  Oliver is once again participating in the auditioned small group called Sola Voce; his final year in middle school.  Henry is in the auditioned small group Varsity Madrigals this year.  They make my heart sing!!

Similar to last year, this event highlights a couple of songs from each group.  This year they also had an external group, the Plymouth Rockers, join them under the direction of David Halligan.  I recently found out a good friend of mine used to direct that choir.  Pretty fun history to share!  Great music to share among the generations and show these kids that you NEVER have to lose your desire to sing!

I wish I had gotten a better picture of them standing together this year, but a Mom takes what she can get. They were standing together in rehearsal, but then didn't end up that way in the final song.  Happy to have ushered and gotten this shot!

Because I was busy running around last night, I didn't get to sit and video anything for personal archives.  The concert will eventually be posted on the district website, however, if you're interested in listening.  You will be able to find it here.

As always, the boys did a wonderful job in their respective choirs.  They truly have a passion for music and continue to get better each year.  I was talking out loud to them last night that I have four more years to relish in this type of event during their high school years!  A good friend and grandparents were also in attendance with us this year.

Masterworks Concert Program 2015

2015 ACDA | Henry

Henry is at rehearsal all day today for a concert performance this evening with an auditioned state choir.  He had a blind audition (digitally recorded and emailed) late last year and they have only one performance.  The kids are expected to learn their music/part on their own and show up today for a full rehearsal, culminating in what is surely to be some awesome, goosebump, soul-inspiring music at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.

We set out this past weekend to buy him a new tie and dress shirt.  He left the house this morning to take the city bus downtown with his friend.  I am just a tad bit in disbelief that he's as old and mature as he is - not because he's not capable - but because how can my little boy possibly be this grown up and independent?!

I asked him to keep in touch with me throughout the day if he had the opportunity, as well as take some pictures of the group from AHS.  There are six of them.  I haven't received any pictures as of yet, but here's a text he sent.  The boy has got panache and whether or not he gets the solo, the fact that he raised his hand tried out - blows me away.  Makes this momma's heart all warm and fuzzy.

  

The song choices are secular and the fact that they will be performed in a church that is getting close to 100 years old...  I cannot WAIT to hear their performance tonight!

We are unable to take video because they are recording it separately; each student gets a copy as part of their agreement.  I will gladly share more pictures if I can get them this evening, as well as any links to their performance.  

sent him off this morning with bus fare, cough drops and a power bar for dinner

Update:  Henry didn't get the solo but that didn't ruin the evening.  As expected, a beautiful evening of amazing voices entertained us for about an hour.  Henry is top row, 6th from the left.  They sang five pieces in total.  I hope to bring back some links to their music in the near future.