I Believe the Children Are Our Future

... teach them well and let them lead the way!

On Friday night I went with a friend to see the Sebastian River High School's Prism performance. As is defined in the program, 'prism' is what happens to a single ray of light when it hits glass and reflects in several beautiful bands. As a performance, it's basically a chance to see various student groups perform. Musicians, singers, dancers, the flag team, and others put together a fabulous show.

While the list of songs is very long (it was a two-hour show, after all), I will comment on a few favorites.

- The Wind Symphony opened with Anderson's Sleigh Ride, which is always a masterpiece when performed well.
- A Marimba Quartet (I know, right?!?) did a short Deck the Halls, which was easily one of my favorite pieces.
- Two flag girls performed a choreographed dance to Goo Goo Dolls' Iris, but unfortunately the stereo playing the song took away from the performance.
- A Clarinet Quartet did The Grinch, which was particularly a crowd-please because of the costumed Grinch who made his way through the auditorium during the song.
- A big surprise was the Theme from New York, New York... it started out as a Jazz Ensemble piece, but during the second verse a chorus of dancers came out, really making the piece outstanding.
- What the program deemed as Traditional Tune for the tuba section was really what string bass players know as The Elephant, and it was performed with the proper amount of gusto needed for the short ditty to appeal to the public.
- Then there was the Caribbean Ensemble (a surprise in itself - steel drums are not a typical instrument in high school) which did a medley of Buffet's Best.
- The trumpets fanned out in the audience to perform Final Countdown, but it would have been better if they were facing various directions, for a fuller sound.
- Immediately following that piece was arguably the most stunning Auxiliary performance. Fog, lighting, flags, guns, and dancers illuminated the stage and the main level of the auditorium, choreographed to Spiderman's Decisions. Thank God for Danny Elfman once again.
- An original piece, Cleanin' Up was fabulous. The percussion ensemble acted as a janitorial staff and used brooms, trash cans, and other tools to create a wonderful tune.
- The trombone section did a lively Carry on My Wayward Son, and a cute little swing choir ensemble did I've Got Rhythm.
- To finish off the night, the drumline did a few cadences, and then the space filled with members of the Marching Sharks Band, performing their 2008 Halftime Show.
The talent of these students fills me to the brim with happiness and joy. The devotion it takes on the behalf of these young musicians is astounding. I can only hope and pray that the dedication and perseverance they've learned through their music will carry on into other parts of their lives and help to better the world someday.

Perhaps I should clue some readers in on why I support arts education so much...
For seven years, I was a violinist. I played for at least an hour each day, in the later years at least two. As part of the Lincoln Park Academy orchestra program, we achieved Superior ratings six out of those seven years, and performed at the national and international levels. In Paris 2000-2001, we received an award for Best Direction, which was a big deal.
Anyway, because music was such a big part of my everyday life for so long, I have a genuine passion for keeping arts in education, and giving students the opportunity to excel in a melodic manner. I truly believe that it aids in concentration, attitude, and general demeanor.

Congratulations Sebastian River High School on a job well done!