It was called “Music for a Winter’s Night.”
From the opening notes of the Grade Eight/Nine/Senior Band it was clear this was going to be a heart-warming occasion at the Barrhead Composite High School east gym, banishing the chill outside.
A packed house thrilled to a musical variety show directed by Kerri-Lee Kostiw; it ranged from blues to jazz, Irish dances to Christmas tunes.
Students also enjoyed the spectacle of principal David Garbutt and associate principal Karen Fischer being summoned to the front to play the xylophone.
Later another VIP made an appearance – Santa Claus, who sat on a special throne and handed candy to kids, before mingling with the crowd.
Music, however, remained the focus of the evening, with students showing the benefits of the hard work they have put into mastering their instruments.
The Grade Eight/Nine/Senior Band began the concert with O Canada and the Crystal City Overture, before making way for the Grade Seven Band, who played some familiar tunes and the C Jam Blues.
When the Grade Eight/Nine/Senior Bank returned they performed Joy of Christmas, ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas – narrated by Ruth Hewitt – and On a Cold Winter’s Night.
Kostiw then took the spotlight, playing keyboard and singing “This Is Christmas.”
The concert ended with the Grade Eight/Nine/Senior Band playing The Water is Wide – featuring a solo by Erica Soetaert – Irish Air and Dance, Merry Christmas and All That Jazz.
Kostiw, who was hired by BCHS recently to revive the school band scene, told the audience that she had witnessed huge musical strides by students over the last few months.
They were constantly surprising her with the sounds they were producing, she said.
She invited the audience to give the students an ovation for their efforts.
“Playing in a band is really a team effort,” she said.
