2026 CHS Spring Instrumental Concert

 Spring Melodies at Cheshire High: 

A Night of Student Excellence

 Richard Reggie Smith Research/Editor Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) 4.0

The talent in Cheshire was on full display at the recent Cheshire High School Spring Instrumental Music Concert. From intricate percussion to a sweeping wind ensemble finale, the evening showcased the dedication of our town's student musicians and the faculty who guide them.

Here are the highlights from a spectacular program:

Rhythm and Jazz

The night opened with the Percussion Ensemble, which this semester tackled complex
arrangements requiring 11 to 14 individual parts.

The Pathfinder by Brian Boom: A powerful opener that highlighted the precision of the section.

Jazz Band Favorites: Directed by Ms. Nicole, the jazz band—an after-school club—brought the swing. Notable performances included:

"Out of the Doghouse" featuring soloists Eliza Rodriguez and Max Myers.

"Summertime" with soulful solos by Maddie Ward and Max Myers.

Orchestral Elegance

Under the direction of Ms. Andy, the CHS Orchestra delivered a diverse set that bridged classical tradition with modern cinema.

Hungarian Dance No. 5 (Brahms): A dynamic, upbeat start to the set.

La La Land Medley: A crowd-pleasing selection suggested by senior cello section leader Matt Johnson.

Gravitas (Sunhi Nubold): A poignant piece dedicated to the graduating seniors, intended to evoke nostalgia and a sense of accomplishment.

Symphonic Band & Wind Ensemble

The later half of the evening moved into grand, narrative-driven works.

Loch Lomond: An emotional Scottish folk song arrangement by Frank Ticheli that tells the story of two soldiers.

Kitty Hawk 1903: A soaring depiction of the Wright brothers' first flight.

First Suite in E-flat (Gustav Holst): A cornerstone of band literature performed by the Wind Ensemble.

Abram’s Pursuit (David R. Holsinger): The high-intensity finale featuring all band seniors.

A Fond Farewell to the Class of 2026

A central theme of the night was honoring the graduating seniors. Faculty members took
time to recognize each student’s future plans, which included:

Engineering & Tech: Students heading to UConn, UMass, Purdue, WPI, and MIT for Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Cyber Security.

Sciences: Graduates pursuing Marine Biology (URI), Biology (Quinnipiac), and Pre-Med (UConn).

Business & Law: Future leaders attending Bryant, Oral Roberts, and UNF.

A special shout-out was also given to German exchange student Julian Kluge, who was a vital part of the ensemble this year.

Behind the Scenes

The success of the music program is a community effort. Recognition was given to the CHS Administration (Mr. Hamlin, Mr. Harelli, Ms. Fell, and Dr. Reed), Mr. Salamini for AV support, and Mrs. Keogh and Mrs. Watkinson for their tireless work in logistics and leadership.

Congratulations to all the performers for an unforgettable evening of music!

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