Since the Sanford Middle School Winter Concert ended back in December, fourth 7th-grade musicians decided to challenge themselves and play up a grade in preparation for the upcoming Spring Band and Chorus Concert on May 16th.
7th graders Caity Szymbor, Allison Horton, Allie Herring, and Emma Mitchell have been playing for both the 7th and 8th-grade bands since January.
The Spring Concert is Tuesday, May 16th, at the Performing Arts Center at 7:00 p.m.
7th and 8th Grade Band Director Erica Scarano describes all of them as exceptional musicians and compares them playing up a grade to a JV player competing with the Varsity team.
And that is a challenging task. The 8th-grade music is more difficult to learn, but that hasn't stopped Caity, Allison, Allie, or Emma from thriving in their respective roles.
"Most of us are able to play our individual parts," Allison said. "But it's a little harder to get the whole band lined up in agreement."
Caity and Allison Horton play the clarinet, Emma Mitchell plays the Alto Sax, and Allie Herring plays the flute.
They all agreed that 'Sweet Caroline' and the 'Star Wars' theme song are the songs they most look forward to playing on Tuesday. Star Wars, however, has been a little more challenging to learn.
"Star Wars has a wide variety of marks and notes," Allison said. "They are still a few parts we're trying get perfect."
Allison, Allie, Caity, and Emma each said they would like to play band when they reach high school.
Caity is excited to perform in front of her younger sister, who plays in the fifth-grade band.
"My sister plays the clarinet," Caity said. "I want to impress her (on Tuesday). I was always interested in it because I saw her, and I was like, 'I wanted to learn it.'"