WAMS Spring Instrumental Concert - My Review

The Spring Instrumental Music Concert presented by the Waterbury Arts Magnet School Music Department happened on the Palace Theater stage. The WAMS band and orchestra were featured at the free concert on Tuesday. Prior to the concert, Principal Leo Lavallee had sent out invitations to local school principals and others to attend to "enjoy the talent of our WAMS students and taking in the magnificent beauty of the Palace Theater." Any dignitary that took Mr. Lavallee up on his offer would have been very impressed with this evening of music.

The first half of the concert featured the WAMS orchestra comprised of 20 high school students and 19 middle school students. Ms. Alyce Cognetta Bertz is the concert mistress of the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra and in a partnership with WAMS provides professional training for free for the students that take advantage of it. Of course, parents must insist that the budding musicians practice with their stringed instruments. Mr. Lavallee, who is leaving at the end of the school year, reminded the parents in attendance to advocate for the program to continue, as it is already in the budget. Ms. Bertz is assisted by Mr. Rami Haxhi, Ms. Kathleen M. Schiano, Ms. Amy Jones and Ms. Kim Boonstra.

The ambitious selection of pieces ranged from Dvorak's "Humoresque," Bizet's "Farnadole," Vivaldi's "Spring from the Four Seasons," Bach's "Brandenburg Concerto #3," Mozart's "Motet Ave Verum," Handel's "Hornpipe from Water Music," to Leroy Anderson's "Blue Tango," Reinhold Gliere's "Russian Sailor Dance," and Karl Jenkins' "Palladio." All were familiar to me and beautifully performed. If anything, this group has gotten even better since last year's concert. A highlight for this year's performance was when Mr. Lavallee came onstage with his trumpet to solo with the Handel piece.

The Concert Band, under the direction of Phillip Sterling, also have improved. Their impressive program began with "As Winds Dance" by Samuel R. Hazo. "Boler" by Maurice Ravelarr followed. John Lennon's "Imagine" was beautifully performed and a wonderful medley of Michael Jackson songs titled "Through the Years" was a true crowd pleasure. The second half of the concert concluded with a spirited "Treasure" by Bruno Mars, featuring the WAMS drum line. The large band includes 17 band assistants and 6 section leaders.

The musical celebration continues tomorrow night at the Palace with the Choral Music Spring Concert at 7:00pm at the Palace.