Summer Band Concert

Dear Band Families,

Thank you, once again, for attending tonight's concert.  Our students have been hard at work for months preparing tonight's literature, and they have again raised the bar to an exciting level.  Tonight's show has more notes, more dynamic contrast, more playing with rubato, more time signature changes, and more energy and passion than you might have imagined while attending our fall concert back in November.

The growth we see from concert to concert, year to year, is so inspiring for me.  I LOVE seeing these young musicians excell, and I revel in the fact that new students rise to the occasion with each round of performances.  I have seen students embrace the athletic challenges and leadership responsibilities of marching band, the ambition and resourcefulness required to do an off-campus honor band, the committment and vulnerability that comes with jazz improvization, and the rigor and imagination it takes to really put yourself into the world of chamber music.  I have seen this year after year, and with each May, it brings the end of the road for our band seniors.  A treasured group of young people that I have grown to appreciate and value more than they know.  I am so proud of our seniors, and I know I speak for so many in the band, "we are going to miss you all."

This concert is our cap to a wonderful year together, and is a real opportunity to intentionally celebrate these students, who with all the choices available to them, chose to stick with music, with their band friends just a little longer.  Their committment is what makes us... us.

As the night progresses, please keep the seniors in mind, and let's give them an amazing send off filled with gratidude and excitment.

Chris Thomas

Switch in Time | Sammy Nestico

Blue Rondo a la Turk | Dave Brubeck (arr. Kris Berg)

The River | Seth Adams

At Dawn They Slept | Jay Bocook

Heroes Near & Far | Richard Saucedo

1. Courage

2. Vision

3. Compassion

4. Selflessness

5. Heroes

Colours | Roger Cichy

1. Amber

2. Dark Jade

3. Blue Sapphire

4. Mauve

5. Dark Ivy

6. Burgundy Red

Godzilla Eats Las Vegas | Eric Whitacre

The 2024 Bainbridge High School Band Boosters Senior Scholarships are presented in honor of Mr Robert Lacey, who was a steadfast supporter of the band and the father of three year drum major, Kelsey "Liz" Lacey, who graduated in the spring of 2021, and is currently graduating college and beginning her career as a band director.

Robert was a Maintenance Supervisor for most of his career in the Kingston Fire Department.  Robert was a huge supporter of all our bands, and an invaluable volunteer during marching band seasons.  Robert helped with equipment, drove our trucks and trailers, and cheered the kids on endlessly.  After a few record setting seasons with the band in 2017, 2018, and 2019, Robert even bought a new truck and was SO excited to share it with the band, bringing up that it had more charging capabilities than his old truck, so people could even charge their cell phones from it, which was more of a luxury back then.  Robert was easy going, always thinking ahead, quick to laugh, and a real joy to be around.

What would have been Liz' senior year as a 3rd year drum major was cancelled due to Covid-19, and Robert developed an agressive cancer during lockdowns.  He fought it hard, and was beating it back.  Unfortunately, the cancer was relentless and it took Robert's life on February 25th, 2024.  You can read more about Robert and his cancer journey here:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/z8begk-medical-expenses-for-cancer-treatment 

Robert's passing left a hole in our community, and we are honored to present this year's scholarships in his honor.