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St. Rita of Cascia High School Band Presents “Sounds of the Season”

For Immediate Release December 9, 2009

The St. Rita of Cascia High School Band spread holiday cheer on the evening of December 9th as they presented their Annual Christmas Concert “Sounds of the Season”. A great crowd was entertained by performances from the Saxophone Quartet, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, and the Ritanettes. Parents, students, and the general public showed their support of the music program with loud cheers and applause throughout the evening.

The St. Rita of Cascia High School Jazz Band entertains the crowd at their “Sounds of the Season” Christmas Concert of December 9th. Left to right: Timothy Doran ’11 (St. John Fisher), Maxx Akel ’11 (Central Junior High), Ronald Bigeck ’11 (St. Mary Star of the Sea), Pat Leonard ’10 (St. John Fisher), Coty Perreira ’11 (St. Damian), and Kevin Zawaski ’12 (St. Germaine).

The evening began with the Saxophone Quartet performing Christmas favorites. The Quartet was comprised of Pat Leonard ’10 (St. John Fisher), Maxx Akel ’11 (Central Junior High), Coty Perreira ’11 (St. Damian), and Kevin Zawaski ’12 (St. Germaine).

The Jazz Band, which treated attendees at the December St. Rita Novena Mass on December 3rd to a Concert preview, following in the evening with some upbeat interpretations of classic holiday songs, including “Frosty the Snowman” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” The Jazz Band has a full bill for the second semester, as they are slated to perform at the Annual Valentine Dinner Dance, a major St. Rita fundraiser, the Mothers’ Club Fashion Show, and at local grammar schools during “Catholic Schools Week.”

In the spirited mix of holiday cheer were the Ritanettes, St. Rita’s color guard. These young ladies put on an impressive display to The Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Siberian Sleigh Ride.”

The Symphonic Band took the reins for the remainder of the concert, moving nicely through the rhythms and melodies of Christmas classics like “Bell Carol A La Big Band” and “White Christmas,” which featured a solo from Pat Leonard. The Symphonic Band also treated guests to “Hallelujah” in a version from Mannheim Steamroller that as Band Director Ms. Cindy Gradek described was different from what many have heard before. Then the group finished off the set with “Themes from the Nutcracker Suite.”

The evening concluded with a round of performances by the Drum Line, which were joined on stage by members of St. Rita’s Varsity Mustang Football team to lead the crowd in the “St. Rita Fight Song.” Ms. Gradek thanked the recent Prep Bowl Champions for their support of the Band, as both the Band and Football team continue to be huge supporters of one another.

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