January Update

Dear Wildcat Band Families,
Happy New Year! We can’t wait for what 2024 will bring to us! Here is what’s been happening recently!
Last month (and year), the winter concerts were held! 7th, 8th, and high school bands had their concert on December 12. 5th and 6th-grade students performed on December 14. The high school band and the 8th grade band performed a combined piece called “Blue Sky Horizon” by Randall Standridge. Out of the 5 pieces played by the high school band, one of them really stood out: “Rhapsody in Blue”, conducted by George Gershwin. The piece closed out the high school concert, with junior Dean Ciampa on piano, which was one of the major components of the piece. Along with Dean, throughout the concert, the following high school students performed solos: Alex Kennedy, Cassie Tibbetts, Alicia Gardner, Ava Kennedy, Vibhush Sivakumar, Adam Davis, Matthew Mozuch, and Michael Dynan. We appreciate everyone who came and supported us in the bands!
Coming up in early February is the band ski trip for the high school band! This year, we are headed to Pat’s Peak just like last year. Students will be skiing, snowboarding, and even tubing! We will take a bus to our hotel, stay overnight, head to the mountain, and have a great day. The ski trip will take place February 2nd through February 3rd. We hope we get the perfect conditions so we can have a great experience like we did last year. 
Now that it is the season for winter sports, the Pep Band is back! Students from the high school band were chosen to play in a small group. They will attend basketball and hockey games. Some of the instruments in the Pep Band that are not in the concert band include the bass synth, electric guitar, bass guitar, and electric keyboard. Similar to marching band, the Pep Band performs popular songs, such as “Feel This Moment” by Christina Aguilera and “Locked Out of Heaven” by Bruno Mars. The Pep Band will be at the gym in WHS for basketball games, and Breakaway Ice Center in Tewksbury for hockey games, so come support! 
We can’t wait to see how 2024 goes, and we hope all of you have a great new year as well!
- Alicia Gardner, Social Media & Communications Chair