The Hempfield Area Marching Band took a break from sightseeing Monday evening as several members of the wind ensemble took the stage to perform in the annual London New Year’s Day Parade Concert Series.
The series, which features the “finest young musicians,” according to their YouTube page, included 15 bands from the United States and two based in London. Starting Dec. 29, the concert ran until Monday and will continue with a free performance on Thursday.
Musicians in the Hempfield Area High School Wind Ensemble were cheered on from other members of the band Monday at Cadogan Hall in Chelsea, London as they prepared to perform three pieces including “Commando March” by Samuel Barber and “An American Heritage” by Ryan Nowlin.
“I was thrilled at the opportunity to perform in such a fantastic venue,” said Brian Tychinski, Hempfield band director. “All of the groups put on spectacular programs.”
Monday’s event featured the Westmoreland County school along with the West Orange Warrior Band from Winter Garden, Fla. and the Putnam City Schools Orchestra from Oklahoma City.
The performance, which leads up to the New Year’s Day Parade, was livestreamed on the organizer’s YouTube page.
The Nogales High School Concert Band from Southern California will kick off Thursday’s concert, followed by the Newport High School Concert Wind Ensemble and the school’s symphonic band from Bellevue, Wash. The event will end with the City of London Brass Band, which has performed at the concert series the past six years.
About 152 Hempfield students will put months of practice to the test as they participate in the New Year’s Day Parade, playing two songs from The Beatles — “Magical Mystery Tour” and “Drive My Car.” They will perform “Lady Madonna,” another tune from The Beatles, during a two-minute stop at the end of the 1 1/2-mile parade route.
The parade will be broadcast live here starting at 7 a.m. Wednesday on WQED Pittsburgh. It will be streamed online at lnydp.com.
That evening, Hempfield’s jazz band will play a VIP reception. Students will return Jan. 4.
