Concert and Awards Program - Cary Academy

All-District Band Auditions (January 2010)
Andy Cooper (’14)
The All-District Concert Band Auditions was an event that involved hundreds of 6 th -12 th grade musicians in
the state. Anyone who played a concert band instrument, had a band director who is a member of the NC
Music Educators Association, and lived in the central area of NC was eligible. It was very fun because it was
a huge audition with talented musicians trying out for a large band. It was a great opportunity to experience a
professional audition: playing scales, a challenging solo piece, and sight-reading. It involved a lot of
practicing! I definitely encourage people to try this next year because it’s a fun and challenging event that
will help you progress as a musician.
All-Region Jazz Band Auditions and Weekend (January/February 2010)
Daniel Sheitman (’14)
The NC Middle School All-Region Jazz Band is similar to the older, larger All-District Concert Band. The
audition process is also similar; about a couple hundred students play scales, a solo, improvise for a few bars,
and sight read a piece. Those who make the band travel to a school where they will rehearse for a day and a
half with pieces of music members only have a short amount of time to learn, before performing a concert.
Unfortunately, we had to leave a day early because of heavy snow. However, I enjoyed it and I will likely
try out for the high school version next year.
US Salsa Assembly with Orquesta Gardel (February 2010)
Wynton Wong (’11)
After weeks of work with the talented musicians of Orquesta Gardel, the US Band and US Jazz Bands were
proud to debut our salsa music to the entire Upper School. The entire band had fun experimenting with such
an energetic genre of music because of the musical arrangements made especially for us by Orquesta Gardel
director, Andy Kleindienst. Orquesta Gardel members accompanied us on vocals and instruments, elevating
the performance to a whole other level. The quick, upbeat tempo of the music alongside some jamming
percussion got people in the audience tapping their feet and dancing. Soon enough the Salsa Club feel was
completed as the stage was full of dancers and everyone was enjoying the music. The assembly was fun and
light-hearted, something that got everyone grooving.
MS Salsa Assembly with Orquesta Gardel (February 2010)
Jake Buchanan (’14)
The band assembly for the Middle School was a “Salsa Club”. Rather than just
listening to the music, the audience got to be involved by dancing to the live music
of the MS band classes with guests. These guests were from a group called the
“Orquesta Gardel,” with some of them from areas such as Puerto Rico and the
Dominican Republic, where Salsa music is one of the most popular genres. I liked
the whole idea as well as the new genre of music we played. I also enjoyed having
these special guests help us incorporate their indigenous style into the music.
Salsa Club Evening at Carmen’s Cuban Cafe (February 2010)
Kendall Bell (’15)
The Salsa Club at Carmen’s Cuban Café (try saying that 5 times fast) was awesome. You can’t really go
wrong with good food, good music, and great musicians. The Salsa Club was a time for the MS and US
bands to play in front of a small crowd, listen to the professional musicians play, dance, and enjoy the club
environment. We played standing up with some professional accompaniment and, believe it or not, we
sounded pretty good. This is something we have to do again. Overall the crazy Salsa Club at Carmen’s
Cuban Café was muy bueno.
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