SC CONCERT FEATURES NEW BAND, SOUND

The weather outside was frightful, but the sounds inside delightful at the annual Scott City band and choir Christmas concert Sunday at Scott City High School.

"This is the first year for a high school band," said Jim Arnold, who is in his seventh year as band director at the school.

In past years, the junior high and high school have combined into one band. Guests this year were treated to performances by the beginning band, choir, junior band and high school band.

"Every band had new music this year," said Arnold. The new musical arrangements allowed each group to be challenged at their own level and added an exciting new sound to old Christmas favorites.

A particular crowd pleaser, "Twenty Carols in 2 Minutes" arranged by Mark Williams, kept the audience on its toes counting carols and minutes.

Arnold was able to come into contact with some new types of music over the summer and brought the new sounds to his students.

A hearty applause and many congratulatory handshakes after the concert were evidence he had made the right choices.

Taking the baton on several occasions was Maggie Montgomery, who has been student teaching at Scott City.

"I graduated yesterday, so this is it for me," said Montgomery.

Graduate school is in her immediate plans. In addition to conducting, Montgomery also accompanied the choir on the piano and flute.

The choir performed a selection of Christmas favorites with a slightly different twist. Male choir members were put to the test with Simeone, Davis and Onorati's arrangement of "The Little Drummer Boy" and its fast-paced rum-pa-pum-pum.

The beginning band is under the leadership of Laraine Adams. This marks Adams' 30th year at Scott City.

"The beginning band is so full of excitement when they come to me," she said. Students quickly find themselves overwhelmed trying to learn fingering and how to make a sound come out of their horns.

"It's exciting to see how far they've progressed by the Christmas concert," said Adams.

Her true love, however, is elementary music. Pulling their creativity out of them is one thing that attracts Adams to the age group.

"Their creativity in coming up with ideas is often better than mine," she confessed, "and we all know they perform better when it's their idea."

In addition to recognizing top fund raisers for the year, the band boosters treated the audience to punch and cookies after the performance.