After a long year filled with sweat and sheet music, the Sound of Pride will display the culmination of their efforts in their annual Encore performance, to be held this year in the auditorium on Thursday, May 24 at 7 p.m.
“Encore is an amazing event that incorporates all the Sound of Pride program has done throughout the year,” Band Captain Karla Jimenez said.
Tickets for Encore are $5 for students, $10 for adults and $6 for seniors, and will be sold at the door on the night of the performance. Those wishing to show extra support for the program can attend a pre-show social hour and bake sale starting at 6 p.m. The funds from the night will go toward supporting the CCHS band, chorus and color guard programs.
The Encore performance unites all aspects of the Sound of Pride band program, including the marching band, each of the three concert bands, the chorus and the color guard. Each larger group will perform “encores” from earlier in the year, such as the marching band’s “Aurora Awakes,” as well as new pieces, with the wind ensemble taking on “Melodious Thunk” by David Biedenbender. Both the varsity winter guard and the junior varsity winter guard will be performing their shows from this past season.
“Encore is an amazing event that incorporates all the Sound of Pride program has done throughout the year.”
Mixed into the program will be performances of smaller ensembles and individuals, highlighting their personal talents and tastes. With no judges in sight, students are given freedom to be creative, and selections range from classic solos to crowd-pleasing pop songs and movie themes. Some of the more out-of-the-box acts include a performance of the mii channel theme, throwback medleys from various decades and an act in which saxophone section co-captain Ashwin Mathi will play the trombone with his feet.
“We saw the [trombone] video on YouTube and we planned on performing it at the state’s Key Club convention so we practiced it in [our] hotel room,” Mathi said. “We went on to win first place in the talent show. Because it was such a success, we wanted to perform it at Encore.”
Over the past few weeks, the individual acts and the larger ensembles have been working to put Encore together. In the days leading up to the show, all acts will gather for two six-hour-long rehearsals to perfect the details before the curtain goes up on show night.
“I can’t wait to showcase everything that my classmates and I have been able to accomplish.”
“On one hand, I’m sad to be leaving something that I’ve put so much time and effort into,” Head Drum Major Morgan Malan said. “On the other hand, I can’t wait to showcase everything that my classmates and I have been able to accomplish.”
Started over 10 years ago by former band director Chris Schletter, Encore has become an important tradition for members of the Sound of Pride. Not only does it allow friends and family a look into the pieces and routines of the past season, but it serves as a memorable close to the year, especially for seniors who are performing with the program for their very last time.
“As a senior, [and with] this being my last encore, I am really looking forward to making it the best last performance with all the underclassman and ending the year with a bang,” Jimenez said.
Photo by The Lariat
