Massena band, orchestra, jazz band entertain more than 100 with Christmas concert

By Andy Gardner

More than 100 friends and relatives showed up to watch Massena High School's three instrumental bands perform their yearly holiday concert.

The program had some last-minute shuffles, with the orchestra being moved to the opening spot. They performed three songs – "The Christmas Song" followed by "Christmas Concerto" second movement. They closed with an orchestral arrangement of "Applause" by world-renowned pop singer Lady Gaga, the closing tune of her 2013 LP "Artpop." It featured Ethan Miller on drum set.

Next up was the Jazz Ensemble, who played four tunes. The opening song was jazz/funk legend Herbie Hancock's "Maiden Voyage," with a tenor sax solo from Seth Denney and Craig Garrow soloing on Piano. They did a rendition of Howard Rowe's "Hot Sauce." It featured five soloists – Garrow (piano), Andrew Cichetti (trumpet), Darryl Lazare (alto saxophone), Lian O'Neil (tenor sax) and Jonathan French (trombone). After playing through "Grooved Pavement" by Victor Lopez, they closed with Tower of Power's "What Is Hip?" Six performers played half-length solos that conductor Jon Hunkins said are designed to give it a more up-tempo feel. They were Cichetti (trumpet), Denney (tenor sax), Ryan Herrick (trombone), Lazare (alto sax), French (trombone) and the percussion section.

Concert Band played a four-song set to close the night: Gustav Holst's "On This Day Earth Shall Ring," Robert W. Smith's "Into the Storm," Brian Balmages' "A House Divided" and Robert W. Smith's "Celtic Bell Carol."

Jazz Ensemble members include Darryl Lazare, Gideon Jaggers and Christopher Marasco (alto saxophone); Seth Denney and Liam O'Neil (tenor saxophone); Bryce Howland (baritone saxophone); Jack Witkop, Madeline Greene, Andrew Cichetti, Cooper Paquin, Alyssa Fountaine and Jayden Dostie (trumpet); Jonathan French, Ryan Herrick, Aidan Shantie and Ty Lucey (trombone); Harley Robillard-Ramatici (bass guitar); Craig Garrow (piano); Brenna Strickland (vibrophone); and Isiah Austin, Abigail Benham and Ethan Miller (percussion).

Concert Band members include: Elaine Closs, Kaicey Eggleston, Sade George, Meredith Guyette, Liam O'Neill, Lisa Seward, Brenna Strickland and Brandi-Marie Williams (flute); Haleigh Dunbar, Delaney Durant, Ryan Gardner, Rebekah Garrow, Devlin Germano, Aidan Kepper, Gracie Manning, Emma O'Brien and Chloe Wilson (clarinet); Piper Auger (bassoon); Katie Love and Carson Witkop (bass clarinet); Bryce Howland (baritone sax); Aidan Aldous, Gideon Jaggers, Darryl Lazare, Lia Lazare, Ieronhenehtha Lazore, Christopher Marasco and Luke von Borstel (alto sax); and Seth Denney and Madisin-Mei Pryce (tenor sax).

Also, Luke Bronchetti, Andrew Cichetti, Jayden Dostie, Logan Eggleston, Alyssa Fountaine, Craig Garrow, Madeline Greene, Cooper Paquin, Anthony Rivera-Doman, Malik Self, Jack Witkop and Molly Witkop (trumpet); Logan Auger, Talon Doxtater, Jonathan French and Ryan Herrick (trombone); Tyler Currier and Noah Park (euphonium); Zachary Austin, Thomas Eggleston, Ty Lucey, Aidan Shantie and James Sinni (tuba); Donavan Diabo, Harley Robillard-Ramatici and William Warren (electric bass); Isiah Austin, Abigail Benham, Jacob Binion, Logan Dobbins, Ethan Donnelly, Christopher Haywood, Ethan Miller, Zoe Mills, Dalton O'Keefe, Nicholas Rubacha, Garret Vazquez and Zachary Wells (percussion); and Jenna Stiles (mallet percussion).

Orchestra members include: Elizabeth Cichetti, Anah Bogdan, Olivia Morrell, Madeline Tusa, Emma LaBarge, Hannah Doughtery, Callie Dow, Aaron Binion, Logan Speer, Lydia Perrine, Stephanie Gardner, Jadelyn McMillan, Katelyn Matthews, Rebecca Miller, Aurora Smithers, Ava Larue and EmmaLee Coffin (violin).

Also, ZoeAnne Williamson, Emma Rupert, Elizabeth Girard, Kyliegh Holcomb, Reese Dow and Chyler Richards (cello); Mercedes Osgood, Alexa Seeber, Caillie Perry, Hailey Boyce and Alorha Shantie (viola); Harley Robillard-Ramatici and Ella Thompson (bass).