Select members of the Advanced Concert Band performed for dignitaries and corporate leaders of business enterprises on Tuesday, January 17. SAS Superintendent Kerry Jacobson and David Leung, chief financial officer, were among the leaders represented who celebrated their success of the past year at a New Year’s Reception held at the Shanghai International Conference Center.

The Advanced Concert Band members were invited to perform as a representative group for the Shanghai American School. Other outstanding local artists, including dancers and costumed performers, were also on stage.

The band began the evening’s entertainment with “The Same Song,” a well-known Chinese TV feature piece that I arranged for the band for this occasion. The lively baroque selection, “Rondeau” by Mouret and “Viva la Vida” (a tune made popular by the band Coldplay) concluded the well-received performance. Orchestra and Band Director Reid Blickenstaff performed and assisted, and I directed the group.

The members who participated in this band were: Danielle Chen and Angela Li (flutes); HongBeom Kim, William Chung, Emery Brautigan, Ray Yu, Won Yong Chung, Allyn Xu, and Caili Johnson (clarinets); Rahul Ahluwalia (bass clarinet); Crystal Lee and Kenneth Zhou (alto saxophones); Liam Kane (baritone saxophone); Michael Xu and Issa Takada (trumpets); Nick Warner (trombone); Luke Wang and Hero Endo (tubas); Anthony Lui (electric bass guitar); and Roy Du and Kevin Lee (percussionists).

By John Leonard, High School Band Director, Pudong campus