Friends and family members gathered in the old Bruin Gym for Riverbank High School’s Winter Concert on Thursday, Dec. 7. The program was broken up into three main parts, one for each of the school’s bands, each performing a number of winter and Christmas pieces.
First up was the Jazz Band, performing two tunes, one recognizable and one that may have been new to the audience, “Ain’t Misbehaving,” and “Sideways Walking Dog.”
The Beginning Band class was up next, playing “Star Chase,” and seasonal tunes “O Come All Ye Faithful,” and “Deck The Halls.” The beginners had the help of varsity girls basketball player Alexis Felix, who took a break at halftime from the game being played in the Fauria Gym next door to work in the percussion section.
Closing out the program was the Advanced Band. They got to play a mixed program of four pieces, a couple of Christmasy tunes, one, a jazzy, bluesy number, and one for the special day they were performing on.
Band Director Joey Aguilar explained to the crowd the special nature of the third piece they played. He said it was played in honor of his grandfather, whose birthday it was, Dec. 7. In addition, he pointed out, it was Pearl Harbor Day, and his grandfather had a special connection there, too.
Aguilar said that his grandfather had been in the U.S. Navy at the time, and assigned to one of the ships stationed at Pearl Harbor that day. He said that he might not have survived had he not gotten leave because it was his birthday, so he was off the base at the time of the attack. And his ship was one of those destroyed in the attack by the Japanese Navy.
The band leader noted that, if his grandfather had not survived, he wouldn’t be here.
The Advanced Band then played the “United States Armed Forces Salute,” which contains the anthems of all branches of military service, including the Coast Guard.
The jazzy tune played by the band was titled “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” with solos by trumpeter Jessica Garcia-Rivas, and alto saxophonist Audrey Richey.
Aguilar closed the concert by thanking all the parents, family, friends, administrators, staff and community members for continuing “to support the Riverbank High School Music Program,” and wishing everyone a happy holiday season.
