Photo: Sanford School Department

By Sam Bonsey, Sanford Schools Communications Coordinator

The talented musicians of the Sanford Middle School put on a fabulous show on May 8 at the Spring Concert held at the Sanford Performing Arts Center. The evening featured performances by the Jazz Band, 7th Grade Band, 8th Grade Band, and combined 6th-8th Grade Choir.

The concert kicked off with the Jazz Band, led by director Erica Scarano. They got things going with “Apache,” featuring a solo from student Sophia O’Connell on saxophone. The lively sounds of “El Taco Rocko” followed, with solos from Emma Higgins, Xyla Kurz, Elyse White, Cierra McInerney, Kiana Kinsey and Evan Lynch showcasing the band’s versatility.

Next up was the 7th Grade Band, taking the audience through pieces like “The Monster Under the Bed,” “Chorale Elegant,” and “Byzantine Dances.” The 8th Grade Band followed with an impressive set including “Dance of the Shadows,” “Loch Lomond,” and the fast-paced “Mambo Cubano.”

After a brief intermission, the combined 6th-8th Grade Choir, under the direction of Justin Pietruch, captivated with their vocal performances. They opened with an energetic rendition of “Africa” before shifting gears with the inspirational “Imagine,” which featured solos from Emma Higgins and Victoria Lipert. The choir showcased their range on the folk song “Shenandoah,” highlighted by solos from Ziva Green and Jaslinn Johnson. They closed out the night by rocking the crowd with “Heavy.”

The musicians of Sanford Middle School clearly put in countless hours of practice and preparation. Their hard work and talents were on full display, making for a truly memorable evening of music and entertainment for the whole community.