by Berta G.
As Christmas approaches, the school's band is preparing for its Christmas concert. I interviewed Mrs. Belgum, the middle school band director. I asked her questions about the 6th-grade band, the jazz band, and the 7th- and 8th-grade band. Questions will go from her favorite pieces to whether there was a particular theme.
The first question I asked was, "What is your favorite piece that the 6th graders are doing?" Mrs. Belgum answered with, "A Joyous Christmas, by Randall Standridge." I would then ask her, "What's your favorite 7th/8th grade piece?" The YMS band combines the seventh- and eighth-grade bands. She answered with, "It's a tie, honestly. I like "Now The Winters Come to Stay," by David Shaffer, but I also like "A Winter's Journey", by Randall Standridge." The third question I asked her would be, "What's your favorite piece that the Jazz band is doing?" After a few moments of thought, she'd respond with, "Merry Gentlemen," but she didn't specify who composed it, so I won't include that part.
My fourth question for her was, "Is there any particular theme for this concert?" Her answer was, "No, but I realized recently that a lot of the pieces had the word Christmas in them." Which I did realize, as I am in the band as well. My second-to-last question was, "Do you have any particular favorite group overall?" She responded with, "I tend to like jazz bands' Christmas music the most. If I could have a just jazz class, I definitely would."
As I was wrapping the interview up, I asked her if she wanted to add anything, and she responded with, "If you can, come to the program. It's really fun this year, and they have been working really hard." If you wish to come, it's on Tuesday, December 9th. It'll start around 7 pm, with sixth grade going first, then Jazz, followed by seventh and eighth grade. It'll be in the old gym.
This is the online newspaper for Yankton Middle School in Yankton, SD. Stories are written by student staff members.
