Dec 4, 2024 was a magical day for many visitors as three of Hillsborough High Schools bands performed that night at 7pm. The concert was led by Jules Haran, director of the Concert Band and the Wind Ensemble, and Nick Clipperton, director of the Freshman Band. Throughout the night, all three bands performed several pieces for the audience, showing their improvement from the first day of school to concert day.

This year’s Freshman Band opened the concert with two pieces. The first piece was  “Horkstow Grange…from ‘Lincolnshire Posy,’” by Percy Aldridge Grainger and arranged by Micheak Sweeney, and the second piece was “A Little French Suite” by Pierre La Plante. “The students put on a fantastic performance, showcasing their hard work and dedication,” Clipperton said. “I’m excited about the upcoming opportunities for growth and creativity in our groups. We’re looking forward to working on new pieces, collaborating more as an ensemble, and continuing to push ourselves to new musical heights,” he said. 

The Concert Band, a group made up of students that played in Freshman Band last school year, began their performance right after the Freshman Band. Previously led by Clipperton, the band is now directed by Haran. The Concert Band performed two pieces: “Illustrations,” by Tyler S. Grant and “A Percy Grainger Suite,” by Percy Aldridge Grainger and arranged by Frank Erickson. 

Lastly, the Wind Ensemble wrapped up the 2024 Winter Band Concert. The Ensemble performed three pieces at this concert: “The Hounds of Spring,” by Alfred Reed, “Old Scottish Melody,” by Charles A. Wiley, “Sleigh Ride,” by Leroy Anderson, a popular winter favorite. Senior Ellery-Lambert Smith, a principal horn player of the wind ensemble, expressed her perspective from being in band for over four years. “Getting to witness progress each day in band is one of the biggest takeaways for me. Band is such a rewarding experience and it’s one of the only classes where everyone is working together to create something,” Smith said. 

Hillsborough High Schools bands performed again on Friday, Dec 20 and will perform Thursday, March 20. If the Winter Band Concert was any example, audiences are in for a treat at every band performance this school year.