Mom gives final note on honor choir/band at DHS

I've written a few stories on the honor band and choir performance that took place Feb. 8, but I have something to fess up to. I had more than just work-related reasons to cover the event. My son, Bryce, was in it.

Admittedly, none of us had any idea Bryce could sing until he joined the Black and White Choir at Whittell High School, mostly for reasons other than musical. Like his older brother, Patrick, yes, my son who's now serving his country in the Navy, Bryce joined the choir for less admirable reasons. The choir goes to Disneyland most every year.

As teenagers go, and Bryce is no different, I heard about the Northern Zone Nevada Music Educators Association concert the night before rehearsals began when he handed me the schedule. Rehearsals began in Dayton on Monday, then were all day on Wednesday and Thursday (performance day) at Douglas High School.

Not knowing what to expect, at first I thought I might have to miss it since I have a music class myself on Thursday night, which I missed the week before. Silly me. I forgot for a minute that I am a mom and moms can't miss these things, if even for their own emotional well-being.

I had no idea what a surprise I was in store for.

It started with a drive over the hill with my youngest son, Mitchell, in tow. Two of Bryce's friends, both girls, needed a ride, so they came along too. On the way, I picked up my mom, Lois Frazee. Kind of an unlikely group. Bet Bryce's ears were burning.

The five of us arrived early in the crowded commons room at DHS, and were some of the lucky ones who found seats.

The concert included students from 26 middle and high schools in Northern Nevada, who had been chosen to participate by the NZNMEA.

The program began with the honor jazz band, which, with their four selections they played, could stand up to most professional jazz bands in my inexperienced opinion. The 18 musicians, three of them from Douglas High School, were lead by UNR professor Andrew Heglund, who also played the xylophone, impressively I might add. They began with "Greasy Flat Blues" by Bruce Pearson, then went into "Greetings and Salutations" by Thad Jones and Mike Carusia. I thought "it couldn't be any better." The bongo player and drummer were fantastic, along with all the other members of the group who played horns of all types, plus an electric bass and guitar. They played a slower song, "Samantha" by Sammy Nestico, and got everybody's toes tappin' with the finale, "St. Thomas" by Sonny Rollin. The set ended in a well-deserved standing ovation.

The middle school honor choir was conducted by Stewart Peebles who taught choir at Carson City High School for 20 years until his retirement. Peebles was in his 10th year with the honor choir. The choir consisted of about 100 students, including some from Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School, Carson Valley Middle School and one from Kingsbury Middle School. The first two songs, "Gloria on Excelsis" by Antonio Lotti and "Praise the Lord" by G.F. Handel were "church songs" my mom said. One piece, "Dirait-on" by Rainer Maria Millxe and Morton Lardisen, really stood out for me. I had no idea what the name meant, but the soft way they were singing could bring tears to the eyes. It was amazing they could pick up a song in a different language in the two days middle-schoolers had to rehearse. They ended with a "bouncy" tune called "Set Down Servant" by Robert Emerson.

When the 100 or so high-schoolers came on stage, many from Douglas and Whittell high schools, their conductor, Donald Brinegar, a professor of music and director of choral and vocal studies at Pasadena City College, announced that they would perform "sophisticated pieces for high school students." I realized what he meant when as I listened to them go through five selections, each of them sung in harmony, with the kids divided into several groups singing different arrangements blended together. Bryce was in the bass section, and my mom swore she could hear his voice. I'm not sure about that, but I did know how proud I felt watching him. His favorite song was "Kpanlongo," written in an African language by Derek Bermel. It was basically rhythms sung by human mouths, their bodies began swaying in unison during the song, too. No wonder this fun song was his favorite.

While sitting there it occurred to me how outstanding these kids sounded. To think that only a few days ago they didn't know a word of these songs. What a worthwhile organization NZNMEA is.

Another thing, just like a mom, I forgot my camera. I'm glad I could paint the pictures with these words.

-- Jo Rafferty is People editor at The Record-Courier.