Melodious middle school

The Cannon Falls Middle School band concert was a touching night filled with melodies and emotion.

Lauren Ritz, Torch staff writer|May 24, 2019

The+seventh+and+eighth+grade+band+play+their+hearts+out.

Nathan Baszuro

The seventh and eighth grade band play their hearts out.

At any given point when walking by the Cannon Falls High School / Middle School band department, one can hear beautiful melodies floating throughout the hallways. Among these different songs, one could hear Alexander’s Ragtime Band, Green Acres, or Copa Cabana being played by the eighth graders. These are the three songs that the eighth grade band performed at the band concert on May 20. The seventh and eighth grade bands combined, along with the Cannon Falls Community Band to play Soldiers Procession and Sword Dance, and Aztec Sunrise. Cannon Falls Community Band played Singin’ in the Rain and Instant Concert. March Bombastique, Dawn Patrol, and March Slave are the songs being played by the seventh grade band. The sixth grade band played The Midnight Suite, Chorale and Dance, and The Big Rock. Fifth graders performed Old MacDonald Had A Band, The Victors March, and Let’s Go Band II. Middle school jazz band played Sherlock’s Gone Home and Power Trip. The Middle School Porcupans performed Alpha Bossa.

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It was well publicized and successful

— Mr. Duggan

Middle school bands perform at a concert four times each year. This was the fourth, and final concert performed by the middle schoolers. Band Teacher Peter Duggan has been instructing the 8th graders for three years and says that “I am excited for the concert but sad that the class of 2023 won’t be Middle School anymore.” Despite this, Duggan was pleasantly surprised with the outcome of the concert. He even went so far as to state “It was well publicized and successful.” Duggan was also happy about the fact that the Cannon Falls Community Band was playing with the students. “I want the MS kids to see grown-ups playing instruments and participating in the arts. I’d hate to think that we spent eight years teaching someone how to play music and then as soon as that kid graduates they spend their leisure time alone watching TV and playing video games.”

Overall, the night was a great success. Parents in attendance commented on the skill of all levels of the band students and thoroughly enjoyed the middle school and community band combination. Shelly Ritz said that “They sounded great and it was fun to see the different generations together on stage.” Whether one’s favorite part was the music itself or even the psychedelic light show behind the students as they were playing, the night was fun for all ages.