by Abby Ryu ’26
As the school year comes to a close, life on campus seems to inversely get busier as most extracurricular groups hold important end of the year events. One of said events is the annual Spring concert, which was presented by the Wyoming Seminary Music Department on Saturday May 4 in the Kirby Center for Creative Arts (KCCA). This concert was the last large performance for those in the music department, allowing students in the music department to showcase their immense effort throughout the school year. Chloe Caputo ‘26, a member of both the Chorale and Band as well as the two smaller ensembles, Madrigals and Jazz Band, echoes this sentiment: “The Spring concert is such a rewarding way for us to display our growth. We’ve all worked very hard and come a long way since the beginning of the year.”
The evening started off at 5 P.M. with an exciting performance by the Band. Directed by Tyler Harvey, the group performed a large variety of compositions: from fantastical pieces like Ralph Ford’s impish but forceful Dark Adventure, to bold modern arrangements, such as Hugh Stuart’s triumphant A Hymn for Band. Following this performance was a mini reception in the lobby; Guests replenished their energy with delicious snacks while the Wyoming Seminary jazz band provided background music.
The Chorale and Madrigals, as well as the String performances commenced at 6 P.M. Similarly to the Band performance, audience members also experienced a wide range of music from these ensembles. The String ensemble, notably, delivered a very impressive finish to the concert with the classical piece Carnival of the Animals by French composer Camille Saint-Saëns. The Chorale, including the Madrigals, also dazzled the audience with a broad selection of songs, including chilling songs of praise like Tomás Luis de Victoria’s Ave Maria as well as upbeat folk songs like Walter Ehret’s arrangement of Cindy. Dr. Daniel Hall, Chorale Director at Wyoming Seminary specifically comments on his favorite part of the concert: “It’s really cool to hear everyone performing, especially, my arrangement of Shall We Gather At the River. It’s exciting to hear SEM singers bring it to life.”
The Music Department’s Spring Concert brought the community together to commemorate the hard work of students, but also to appreciate music by specifically showcasing its beautifully diverse variety. The concert served as an unforgettable finale for the 2023-2024 year and left both the audience, as well as the performers, in excited anticipation for what’s to come next year!