Jason Giachetti and Brian Stellato are just as excited as their students. The two veteran Huntington High School music teachers have waited a very long time for this. Their respective bands will take the stage on Wednesday night for their first concert since the pandemic began.
“We are very excited about taking the stage on Wednesday,” Mr. Giachetti said. “This is the first live performance the senior symphonic band has had in two years. In fact, this very concert was the last performance the band had since 2020.”
The concert is free and open to the public. It will begin at 7 p.m.
The senior symphonic band will perform:
“Wind Dancer” by Frank Erickson (1923–1996)
This original composition alternates between an "A" theme, which is a lilting dancelike melody and a contrasting "B" theme that is written in a more straightforward rhythm featuring lush chords, smooth lines and soaring countermelodies. The rhythms used in this piece are frequently found in Latin music.
“With Quiet Courage” by Larry Daehn (b. 1939)
“With Quiet Courage” was written in memory Larry Daehn’s mother, Lois. “She inspired many people because of her grace, kindness, and strength,” he said. “She was born humbly, grew up poorly in the Depression; she didn’t get many breaks in life. In mid-life she was struck by many health problems. She lost much of her eyesight and both legs to diabetes. But as one of the speakers at her funeral said, ‘I never thought of her as handicapped.’ She wanted no pity. She was more concerned about those around her; that her misfortune might worry them. I tried to make the music like her; simple, with strength, nobility and beauty.”
To Challenge the Sky and Heavens Above by Robert W. Smith (b. 1958)
“To Challenge the Sky and Heavens Above” draws its inspiration from the rich aerospace history surrounding the Huntsville, Alabama area where visionaries such as Wernher von Braun and his team of scientists laid the foundation for modern space flight and exploration. The creative seeds for the composition were found in the novel “October Sky” by Homer Hickman and draws upon the vision and bravery of those who soared through the heavens above.
The junior symphonic band will be under the direction of Mr. Stellato. It is comprised of freshmen and sophomores.
The band will perform “Into The Storm by Robert W. Smith, “The Mandalorian” by Ludwig Goransson and “Critical Mass” by Todd Stalter.
“We’ve been preparing these pieces since around the second week in November,” Mr. Stellato said. “This will be the first in-person high school band concert in two years! We’re so thrilled to welcome family and friends back into the auditorium and can’t wait to perform for everyone.”