Mitchell Jr./Sr. High Bands Blow the Roof Off M.H.S.

Mitchell seniors honoring Mr. Austin Sailors at their final school concert together.Photo byjd

Tuesday night, small town musicianship was on full display at Mitchell's annual Spring concert. The show was held in the gymnasium this year, (to the detriment of the acoustics) to better accommodate the standing room only crowd. Both Jr. and Sr. high bands blew the roof off the gym featuring several improvisational solos and were outstandingly conducted by Mr. Austin Sailors.

The twenty-four-piece jazz band started off the evening with four numbers: "Sugar" (1970) by Stanley Turrentine, "Hard to Handle" (1968) by Otis Redding/Jones/Bell, "Sunny" (1963) by Bobby Hebb, and lastly "Red Clay" (1970) by Freddie Hubbard. These tightly knit teenagers played together with the swagger of much more aged, experienced instrumentalists; the depth of sound produced by these twenty-four student musicians would rival most other ensembles. Here is a taste...

During the set, senior band members presented their instructor with a little token of recognition...

Later, the full Sr. high band performed a set of three songs: "Encanto" (1989) by Robert W. Smith, "Cajun Folk Songs: I. and II." (1991) by Frank Ticheli, and on "Industria" (2016) by Alan Clark/Miguel Castro, the Eighth grade joined their upperclassmen and grooved like they'd been with them the whole time.

The whole Jr. high band followed with numbers of their own, including: The "Tempest" (1995) by Robert W. Smith, "Sonnymoon for Two" (1967) by Sonny Rollins, "Cyclone" (2013) by Michael Oare, and "Against the Storm" (2023) by Tyler Arcari.

To close the show, both bands came together for a rousing rendition of the "Mitchell Fight Song" that brought the crowd to its feet! "M.H.S.!"

--Next up for the Jazz and High school bands is the District Music Competition Thursday, April 18, 2024, at Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff.

Although it may have been bittersweet for some, all in all, a good time was had by everyone in attendance. Please support music in your local schools!

M.H.S. seniors "last dance" with their musical mentor, Mr. Sailors.Photo byjd