Entering the CCHS auditorium, the families and friends of the band and color guard sat in order to watch the final performance of the year for the Sound of Pride (SOP). This event, Encore, also served as the final performance for the seniors who participated in this performance.
“[This performance was], in one simple word, bittersweet,” sophomore Tyler Wong said. “This program means more [to me] than anyone could possibly imagine. SOP is a family [and a] lifestyle. This program provided me with a sense of belonging during my time here at CCHS.”
Wong will be attending College Academy in the upcoming school year, and thus this was his final performance with the Sound of Pride.
This also stood as the seniors’ final performance as members of SOP. Various students uploaded posts to Instagram with heartfelt captions that discussed the seniors’ final farewells, their hopes for the rising underclassmen and their faith in the future endeavors of the SOP.
“SOP is a family [and a] lifestyle. This program provided me with a sense of belonging during my time here at CCHS.”
Another portion of the CCHS band is the color guard, which accompanies the band in all of their endeavors by performing choreographed routines.
“Being a part of this year’s Encore was something different,” junior Fenix Lobo said. “This was my last performance as a guard member and SOP member ever. I got to be a part of the seniors’ performance and tried to recollect everything I’ve learned these past few seasons for other performance pieces.”
Members of the guard also felt the same nostalgia that the band had felt. Lobo also posted on Instagram to commemorate her final performance at Encore, captioned “The End.” In the pictures that accompanied this, there were several pictures with her and her guard members.
“I think in color guard we saved each other,” Lobo said. “As I move on from the program due to personal reasons, I wish them the best of luck.”
“Encore is always really fun and it’s a great way to end the year especially since we get to perform with our friends.”
SOP also experienced a shift as it transitioned from former Band Director John Wilkerson to current Band Director Danielle Singer. Singer has led the SOP in new directions, such as getting a group of band members to form an orchestra for this year’s production of “Into the Woods.” Singer graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in Musical Education and has been the director of several pit orchestras. As the new director, she has led the program in innovative directions according to her students.
“Singer is one of the most incredible people I’ve ever met,” junior Jenna Steuernagle said. “Somehow she finds a way to easily relate to her students through her humor and understanding while simultaneously running a program of over 100 high school students with her determination and passion for music.”
Though the evening was filled with tearful goodbyes and bittersweet nostalgia, students still felt it was a great evening.
“Encore is always really fun and it’s a great way to end the year especially since we get to perform with our friends,” junior Alyson Perullo. “It ran pretty smoothly especially with Singer running it.”
The list of performers at Encore were as follows:
- Jazz Band
- Flute Trio
- Junior Varsity Winter Guard
- Trumpet Trio
- Wii Channel
- Golliwog’s
- Tuba Trio
- Front Ensemble
- Horn Trio
- Horn Solo
- Avengers
- Flute Duet
- Instant Concert
- Bassoon Solo
- Concert Band
- Color Guard
- A Song for Japan
- Color Guard Seniors
- Low Brass Ensemble
- Varsity Winter Guard
- Back to the 80’s
- Kazoo Choir
- Sabre Dance
- Lonely Boy
- Symphonic Band
- Cucumber
- Saxophone Quartet
- Wind Ensemble
- Tyrele Solo
- Senior Band Song
- Marching Band
For more information regarding the CCHS Sound of Pride visit: https://www.cchssoundofpride.com/staff.
Photo by Genna Nordling
