Highlander bands showcased in 'A Winter Concert'

BY PATRICIA KELLER
WEST MILFORD — The West Milford High School’s Highlander Bands presented “A Winter Concert” on Thursday Dec. 22 at the high school. A large crowd filled the auditorium seats, eager to be entertained by the Highlander Symphonic Band, the Highlander Pipes and Drums, and the Highlander Wind Ensemble.
The Highlander Symphonic Band, conducted by Assistant Band Director Matthew Gramata, kicked off the evening. They performed “A Holiday Galop,” “Whisper to Their Souls,” “Snowflakes Dancing” and the well-known and upbeat “Feliz Navidad” that had some audience members singing and dancing along.
The renowned Highlander Pipes and Drums then marched in precision, taking their places on the stage and the floor below to perform their spectacular selections.
As the pipes and drums concluded their performance and paraded out of the auditorium, the stage curtain opened, revealing the Highlander Wind Ensemble in place and ready to perform. Conductor and Director Brian McLaughlin commented that he enjoys challenging this particular group of students with musical selections that are increasingly more difficult and complex than those typically performed at the high school level, and that the students continue to impress him. The Highlander Wind Ensemble performed “A Christmas Festival,” “Sussex Mummers’ Christmas Carol” and “Characteristic Dances from The Nutcracker.”
McLaughlin paused between selections to recognize students that were selected via audition to the North Jersey Area Band. Students from approximately 40 different high schools across the area auditioned for the limited number of positions in the NJAB’s Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble. The 53rd annual NJAB Festival will be held on Jan. 15 at Mount Olive High School. (For more info on the NJAB, visit their website at www.NJAB.org).
McLaughlin also announced with pride that a West Milford High School junior, bassoonist Jordan Dreyer, was selected to perform in the exclusive “Bands of America - Honor Band of America” and will be representing the Highlanders in Indianapolis this spring.
The Highlander Wind Ensemble then concluded their selections with a performance of “Emmanuel Variants,” bringing audience members to their feet with applause.
The concert finale featured the combined Highlander bands as they seamlessly presented the seasonal favorite, “Sleigh Ride.” The delighted crowd then gave a standing ovation for the evening’s performances.
For more photos from the concert, go to westmilfordmessenger.com.