WHS bands present annual spring concert

Denny Whitley directs the Wildcat band as they practice for the spring concert.

The award-winning Whitehouse High School bands will present their Annual Spring Concert on Monday evening, May 14 in the Whitehouse High School Arena at 7 p.m.

The Whitehouse Band Booster Club is also hosting an "Outback Hamburger Supper" that night from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. as a fund raiser to help the band with their expenses to Orlando, Fla., the first week in June. The hamburger supper is being catered by Outback Steakhouse of Tyler.

Tickets for the supper are $7.50 each and are currently on sale from band students and band booster parents.

The expenses for the trip are being raised by the students and parents with all expenses being paid before they leave for the trip. Each student is responsible for paying $400 with the band boosters picking up the balance. The $400 covers a three-day park hopper to Disney attractions, a ticket Universal Studios, hotel rooms and bus transportation and all meals. In all, the trip is costing about $650 per person.

The Wildcat Band will be performing in the evening parade in the Magic Kingdom on Tuesday, June 5. This will be the fifth time the Wildcat Band has performed in the Magic Kingdom.

The WHS Concert Band 2, directed by Joe Hewitt, will perform Mambo # 5 by Perez Prado, and Disney Blockbuster arranged by John Higgins. The WHS Concert Band, directed by James Clifton will perform Flying Eagle March by Blakenburg, Movie Magic arranged by David Marshall, and Fantasia 2000 arranged by Jay Bocook.

The WHS Symphonic Band, directed by Denny Whitley will perform The Golden Bear March by J.J. Richards, Malaguena by Ernesto Lecuona, A Disney Celebration arranged by Michael Brown. The band will also perform Duty, Honor, Country by Harold Walters. Duty, Honor, Country was the title of the address given by General Douglas MacArthur in 1962 to the graduates of West Point. The song is being presented in honor of all Veterans and those serving in the Armed Forces at this time.

Two years ago, the Wildcat Band performed at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. and honored all veterans of WWII. Last year the band honored the veterans of the Korean Conflict with the playing of the dramatic song, Inchon. The band would like to honor all Vietnam veterans at their concert this year with Duty, Honor, Country.

The Spring Band Concert is also the special time that the 46 band seniors are presented as well as various awards and scholarships will be given. After the presentation of awards, the concert will conclude with all three bands combining and performing America the Beautiful.

There is no admission charge and the public is cordially invited.