As their last song, the Wind Ensemble played a piece called “Ghosts of the Old Year" composed by James David, which was inspired by a poem by James Weldon Johnson. Additionally, audience members were handed with beautifully illustrated, by seniors Matthew Reichard and Breanna Dunworth, book mark with a copy of the poem that inspired this piece. “Our final band song was the best that we've ever played it. I think it was a combination of adrenaline and the fact that it was our last concert. I feel like [the music] was just coursing through our veins.” said sophomore Caroline Guiard, a flute and piccolo player.
On May 2nd, 2024, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and Wind Ensemble performed in the Butler Lake Auditorium. Each ensemble performed many different pieces, written by composers with all kinds of ethnic backgrounds. Additionally, both Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra played pieces specifically commissioned by composers. Wind Ensemble, especially, performed a unique piece written in memory of the tragic July 4th, 2022 Highland Park parade shooting. This was the fourth time this song had ever been played by any band in the world.
![Senior Sam Foster, who plays the alto saxophone on the Jazz Lab Band, waves at the audience after their final piece. “[Jazz is] just something that I enjoy personally, and I wanted to do,” Foster said.](https://www.lhsdoi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/USE4-1200x800.jpg)
![For the final piece, a combination of Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble played an extravagant song by Paul Hindemist. Flute soloist Dakota Olson had her moment highlighted within this song. “[My solo] was definitely challenging but it was fun too,” Olson said.](https://www.lhsdoi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/amy-and-joey-shot-1200x800.jpg)
![The Bel Canto choir, the junior choir, performs “Ex-Wives” from “SIX.” “We started [preparing], pretty much right after the Holiday concert,” junior Delaney Rybicki said. Caption by Ash Magalhaes](https://www.lhsdoi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_7696-1200x800.jpg)
