Dartmouth band seniors had their final concert
The Dartmouth band. Photos by Kat Sheridan
Noah Veloso hugs percussion director Alex Ollivierre. 
The band encourages the crowd to clap along. 
Students play the drums during the band concert.
The Dartmouth band. Photos by Kat Sheridan
Noah Veloso hugs percussion director Alex Ollivierre.
The band encourages the crowd to clap along.
Students play the drums during the band concert.
The Dartmouth concert band closed out a successful season with their spring concert on Wednesday, May 13.
The students took home a silver medal in the Massachusetts Instrumental Chorus and Choral Conductors Association back in March.
“I think the kids played the best that they ever have,” said Band Director Marielle Chrupcala. “They played great at MICCA but they sounded even better tonight. Everything lined up the way it was supposed to. They played with such energy.”
During the final concert of the year, the students performed a number of songs they competed with as well as some new pieces.
They opened with “National Emblem” by E.E. Bagley. They continued with “Land of Enchantment” by Carol Brittinn Chambers, which is an ode to New Mexico and the Southwest, filled with sounds of birds, winds and sand. “On Hymnsong of Philip Bliss” was written by David Holsinger in memory of his father in law.
There was a short intermission to acknowledge the six graduating seniors, as well as recognize two students who made junior district and two who made senior district.
“I was very proud of the work that I did, and the work that all of my fellow seniors, juniors, freshman, sophomores, everyone did,” said senior Noah Veloso. “We really nailed it.”
The students also used this as an opportunity to thank the directors; Chrupcala and Percussion Director Alex Ollivierre, who both joined the district this year. Both received a pot of flowers.
“The kids made it so easy, and I’ve had so much support from the administration, the teachers, the parents, they’ve all been so wonderful,” said Chrucala. “I just feel so lucky.”
They resumed the program again with “Declaration, Ballade and Finale” by Ed Huckeby. The show ended with an enthusiastic rendition of “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake. Students played the drums, used clapboards and encouraged the crowd to clap along.
“The energy up here was incredible,” said Veloso. “It’s the most energy we’ve had through anything about this whole year, so I couldn’t have asked for a better last concert.”
This was their last formal concert, but this is not their last time playing. The band will be playing in the town Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 25 and at graduation.
