Chicago Heights School District 170's Concert Band and Voices United Choir presented the groups' traditional Halloween Concert on Wednesday evening, October 30th, in the Auditorium of Washington-McKinley School.
The Concert Band, under the direction of James Fallinske and Theodore Hattan, performed pieces including Waltz of the Wraiths, Predators of the Deep, Alien Invasion, and Ghostbusters.
The Voices United Choir, under the direction of James Rahtjen, performed pieces including Go Be Awesome, Full Moon Rising, and the poignant Reaching For Light, a Rahtjen composition with lyrics by choir member Eliana Puente.
"The band and choir always perform their best in the concert setting, and tonight was no exception," Fallinske said in appreciation of the students' efforts. Hatton added to his counterpart's words of praise for the performers.
"The District 170 Choir and Concert Band gave an excellent performance at our Halloween Concert. I am very proud of my band students, especially as they have grown so much in ear training and in balancing their sound," he said.
"Our annual Halloween concert has been a fun, short little performance with the musicians and directors wearing their costumes of choice and both performers and children in the audience receiving candy at the end. The addition of a costume contest seemed to add excitement among the students as well."
"I am looking forward to watching the band continue to grow in size, energy, and musicality over the coming years," Hattan concluded. Michelle Cowan, a member of the District 170 Band Boosters, extended her kudos to the Band program noting some of the innovative lesson strategies employed by the directors.
"My girls have been in the band since fourth grade, and we enjoy all the performances that the school puts on," she said.
"I like that the directors have implemented the 'colors of achievements,' where, as in karate, students earn various color belts to indicate progress.
“The band students earn ribbons or tape to show their improvement, which inspires them to work harder and practice more."
Rahtjen concluded the directors' statements, saying, "I am so proud of the Voices United Choir and all the student performers."
"This year, we have many new choir members, so for many of them, this was their first-ever public performance."
"The students sang with poise and confidence, and they thoroughly enjoyed working together and singing as a group."
"I look forward to seeing their progression in the coming months."