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RHHS band wows crowd at J.F. Gregory
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The Richmond Hill High School bands, under the direction of Dr. Daniel Kiene, performed recently at J.F. Gregory Park. - photo by Photo provided.
The Richmond Hill High School bands performed their spring concert May 4 under the pavilion at J.F. Gregory Park to a large audience who attended in spite of the evening’s menacing conditions.
As the band set up, the clouds begin to clear a little, and what appeared to be destined as a water-logged event turned out to be a great night for the attendees.
The concert opened with the Concert Band performing several works, including “Hollywood Milestones,” which featured popular movie music. This piece was enhanced by a slide show depicting the movie posters and scenes from the movies featured.
Then it was time for the Jazz Band. Playing hits such as “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” the jazz ensemble got the crowd in a festive mood with some audience members swaying and clapping along. Especially exciting was the group’s rendition of “Cablevision,” a jazz-funk piece featuring screaming saxophone solos and electric guitars.
Closing out the concert was the Symphonic Winds. This 45-piece group consistently scores superior ratings at band events, and their performance Tuesday night showed the crowd why. It was the Symphonic Winds that performed the multimedia spectacle “Godzilla Eats Las Vegas,” which helped bring the crowd to their feet by bringing the giant reptile as close to South Georgia as he is likely to get.
 The band, along with a very funny PowerPoint presentation created by RHHS media specialist Annie Norton, brought the story of Godzilla attacking Las Vegas and finding Liberace, Frank Sinatra and others, to life for the audience. Sound effects, lighting, singing and the arrival of the “Marching Elvi (plural of Elvis)” had the audience laughing out loud.
Director of bands Dr. Daniel Kiene said this was one of his favorite concerts of his career and added that it was a great success in spite of the rain.
The bands from RHHS perform free community concerts every winter and spring in J.F. Gregory Park.

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