A Sweet Night of Music; a collective music concert put on by the RBHS jazz band and ensemble, symphonic band, woodwind choir, brass choir and percussion orchestra; will take place May 4. The program is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. at the RBHS stadium, and audience members should bring their own lawn chairs or blankets.
The event is notably different from past years’ “Sweet Night of Jazz,” where only the jazz band and ensemble performed, alongside auctions and bake sales.
“This year, it is different from an average band concert first and foremost by happening outside,” RBHS associate band director Erich Spaeth said. “This event will look different by also giving our families and students the opportunity to hear several different types of ensembles at the concert, not just our concert bands.”
Junior Anthony Wu, who plays the trumpet in the jazz band, said the previous version of the event is similar to “prom, but 10 times better.” Because of COVID-19 safety guidelines, however, performers will be in the stands of the RBHS stadium while the audience will be socially distanced on the field.
“This year, we can’t do the … event with dancing and treats and everything that we usually do,” Wu said. “That’s a bit of a shame as it’s an event that brings us as the band program together and just brings joy and art to people in general. But in the end, we’re together making music and that in itself is a blessing.”
The jazz and symphonic bands have been practicing their literature in class daily since the beginning of the semester, Spaeth said. The brass, woodwind and percussion ensembles have been practicing outside of school once a week since the beginning of April for the event. The groups participated in dress rehearsals all together, Spaeth said, and “they all are feeling very prepared and ready for the concert.”
Sophomore Caroline Ma, who plays flute in the woodwind choir, said their stage is much different from past years, as they normally play inside. To prepare for the change, Ma said the dress rehearsals were outside “to get a feeling of what it will look and sound like at our concert.”
“Though it’s a major change,” Ma said, “I look forward to the new environment and getting to hear all the different sounds outside.”
Tickets to attend A Sweet Night of Music are $5.00, and all proceeds benefit the RBHS band program. Registration is still open at http://bit.ly/SweetNightMusic2021.
“Despite everything, this year has been a good [one] for music,” Wu said. “It’s just good fun with no stress. So I hope that you all enjoy.”
Will you attend A Sweet Night of Music? Let us know in the comments below.[penci_image_gallery images=”333792,333791,333795,333794,333790″ auto_time=”4000″ speed=”800″ block_title_align=”style-title-left” custom_markup_1=””]
