All Concert at Gilman brings Cloverbelt musicians together Saturday Jan. 21

It took a full day of rehearsals, but it was worth it when doors opened at Gilman Saturday for All Concert.

“Always a fantastic day, we were well represented,” Stanley-Boyd band director Devon Wenndt shared of the Cloverbelt All Concert event at Gilman on Saturday, Jan. 21. “Seven kids in the choir, seven in the band from Stanley- Boyd. It’s always a good day when you can come and put something together. We’re proud of the kids.”

With registration starting at 8:30 a.m. and lunch on site as the students practiced first in sections and then together, the hour of 6 p.m. meant showtime, with cars lining the streets for blocks around Gilman High School. Taking part in the Saturday event were musicians and singers from Cadott, Colby, Fall Creek, Gilman, Greenwood, Granton, Loyal, McDonell, Neillsville, Osseo-Fairchild, Owen-Withee, Regis, Stanley-Boyd, and Thorp. As to the concert, it started with the band portion, students directed by Dr. Patrick Lawrence from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point.

Opening with Titan by T. Rabin as arranged by J. Bocook, the All Concert Band followed this up with Yagi- Bushi as arranged by N. Iwai. Continuing the concert with Rhythm Stand by J. Higdon, the band closed out with Epic Gaming Themes, arranged by P. Murtha.

Once the band had retired and the All Concert Choir was in place, it was on to And So It Goes by B. Joel as arranged by K. Shaw. Concert Choir members were directed for the day’s performance by Dr. Frank Watkins from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, being accompanied by Kay Scharn.

From Billy Joel it was on to Ave Verum by Wolfgang Mozart, edited by W. Collins. For the third song concert goers were treated to Who Can Sail Without the Wind? as arranged by D. Forrest, the final choir number for solo performance being Rock My Soul as arranged by B. Tate, and making reference to the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man.

With Band and choir performances complete as to their solo aspect, the band returned to join the choir in a joint performance of “When You Believe” by S. Schwartz as arranged by A. Snyder and J. Moss.

With applause for band and choir both long and sustained, the All Concert performance would not have been possible without the following: Cloverbelt Conference Music Educators Cloverbelt Conference Administrators Bob Houts, Cloverbelt Conference Commissioner The Gilman Music Parents Dr. Leipart, Gilman Superintendent Mrs. Kay Scharn Gilman Teachers and Staff Gilman Custodial Team, and the families who support their music students in all their many endeavors.

2022- 23 Cloverbelt All Concert S-B Attendees

Ben Bowe (back left), Carter Isenberger, and Larissa Sockness sing in concert. Photo by Joseph Back.

Above, John Burgoyne (Tenor Saxophone) and Eli Hazuga (Baritone Saxophone) stand at the end of the band performance Saturday. Photo by Joseph Back.