This year’s Spring Concert embraced a nautical theme and showcased a stunning array of musical performances, celebrating the talents of students, alumni and staff across various ensembles.
The evening began with the majestic Highland Cathedral, performed by the Honours Band under the expert direction of Jazmyn Yong (Grade 11). The powerful and emotional piece set the tone for the concert. Next, the Music 8 students took the stage with Eagle Song, displaying their growing skill and dedication.
The mood shifted with Jasmine Flowers, a delicate and intricate melody performed by the Strings ensemble, conducted by Joanne Yiu (Grade 9). Their graceful rendition provided a beautiful contrast to the earlier pieces. Following this, the orchestra presented Resources, bringing a rich and dynamic performance that highlighted their collective musical ability.
The pace picked up as the students from Music 8, 9, and 10 came together for Shipwrecked, a vibrant piece full of energy and Music 9 and 10 students added a sophisticated flair to the evening with the smooth jazz of So What by Miles Davis.
The Intermediate Choir then graced the stage with a medley of beloved tunes: Edelweiss, Time After Time and Wonderwall and the Senior Choir delivered powerful renditions of Die With a Smile, If I Ain’t Got You, and Officially Missing You.
A heartwarming moment followed with the Sports Recognition Video, celebrating the achievements of our athletes. This led seamlessly into I Wish, a lively and energetic performance by the Jazz Band, conducted by Ms. Van Inwegen.
It was wonderful to welcome back three of our alumni (George Whyte ‘24, Alex Smith ‘21 and Rayzell Tjandra ‘23) and their bandmates who form the band ‘The Way Up’ as they took to the stage to perform Kansas: Carry On Wayward Son.
The Honours Band, once again conducted by Joanne Yiu, returned to perform Byzantine Dances, a complex and exhilarating composition that demonstrated their advanced technical skill and musicality. The concert reached its thrilling climax with the Honours Band’s rousing performance of Pirates of the Caribbean, a cinematic piece that had the audience on the edge of their seats.
To conclude the evening, the Grade 12 students were recognized for their achievements in the music program, marking an important milestone in their time at SJS.
The Spring Concert was a celebration of talent, hard work and dedication, leaving everyone thoroughly entertained by the musical abilities showcased throughout the night. Thank you to our music department staff, Stagecraft crew, facilities and IT teams for all of their hard work behind the scenes and to our Masters of Ceremonies—Coco Ji, Kiana Afshar and Chloe Chen— for MC’ing.
