Half of the school year ends Dec. 22, 2016

This has been a fantastic journey. My 1st half of my 1st year at Tokay has ended and I simply can't believe how wonderful this journey has been. I have been so fortunate to have a caring, supportive administration team that attended the concert and a full house complete with fellow colleagues, a full tech crew along with my department chair and an encouraging community.

The Holiday Concert featured the 17 member Jazz Ensemble, (which is a class at Tokay), complete with wonderful soloists, a latin percussionist and a jazz flute/piccolo combination performer. The Jazz Band performed right after the FULL Symphonic band performed the Star Spangled Banner on stage, (conducted by our award winning drum major) as a prelude to the concert.

The first piece of the Symphonic Band was conducted by the Student Director who made his conducting debut that night.

I am very proud of Mr. Matt Simonson as he has been as helpful as a drum major but doing a LOT of behind the scenes work in preparing the stage, the band and the music so that the entire group has a smooth performance. He will be a fantastic leader!

The concert ended with a medley of familiar Christmas carols and an applause that started before the piece even ended.

This community was a great audience and I look forward to continuing with more production as we look into the next performances in our inauguratory rebuild year,

I truly am very blessed to be in the presence of wonderful people to work with...but for now I am one tired but pleased music director.

My heart is full. :)

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!