Springtime and warm weather mean it’s time for Centreville High’s band concert under the stars. The Wildcat Band’s Fourth Annual “Bandemonium!” is set for Friday, May 16, at 6:30 p.m., in the school’s bus loop. 

Featured will be Centreville’s music groups, Winterguard, JazzCats, Percussion Ensembles, Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble. And the talented, young musicians comprising them plan to dazzle audiences with a variety of great music. 

But that’s not all; this event promises something for people of all ages. Attendees may get their faces painted by students in the school’s Art Club, have balloon animals made for them, get Wildcat pawprint tattoos and dance to some swingin’ jazz tunes. 

In addition, food trucks El Jefe Wood Fired Pizza, KBBQ Box, Two Smooth Dudes, Kona Ice and Adam’s Delights Ice Cream will be onsite so guests may purchase food to enjoy while the music plays. El Jefe offers tasty pizzas, KBBQ Box combines Korean and international cooking traditions, and Two Smooth Dudes serves gourmet tater tots, wraps, salads and pineapple smoothies. Desserts will be available as well.

Some 500 folding chairs will be available for guests to sit in, but people are also encouraged to bring picnic blankets and camping chairs. In case of rain, the concert will be moved indoors into the cafeteria. 

This year’s “Bandemonium!” theme is “A Night of Toons,” with each band performing a selection of music from popular cartoons. The event brings together every component of the CVHS Performing Arts Department, with band, orchestra, choir and theater students all participating. 

“It’s such a joy to have created a new tradition at Centreville High and our surrounding community that’s always so well received,” said Band Director Melissa Hall. “The students and I are always excited to share ‘Bandemonium!’ with our community.” 

Kicking off this year’s festivities will be a piece performed by all the bands together. It’s called “Halcyon Hearts” by composer Katahj Copley, and the title denotes a time when a person is happy or at peace. “This work represents the warmth that love brings us,” explained Hall. “The introduction – which is sudden and colorful – symbolizes the feeling of the unexpected journey to find love. Using the colors and natural energy of the ensemble, this sound of ambition and passion is created throughout the work.”

The JazzCats, Centreville’s own Jazz Ensemble, will perform music with the theme, “Let’s Eat!” Music from many jazz genres – including swing, funk, rock and Latin – will be featured. Three vocal selections, “Mack the Knife,” “Pure Imagination” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got that Swing)” will showcase student vocalists from the Centreville Band and Choral departments. And orchestra students are also performing in the Jazz Band. 

Besides the “Theme to the Simpsons,” the Concert Band will play a number by composer Carmen Gassi called “Compass Points West.” Said Hall, “Imagine you were a member of the crew on those early ships of exploration leaving Europe in the 15th century to sail to America. Feelings of anticipation and apprehension would give way to feelings of adventure and joy.” 

Noting the music is considered the universal language, Hall said cartoons should probably have the same distinction. “The wonderful humor of the animated characters takes us into a world where anything is possible,” she said. “The Symphonic Band will dazzle with the Looney Tunes Overture and those marvelous Warner Bros. ’toons are theme songs known wherever motion pictures, television and computers are found.” 

They’ll continue with “The Runaway Circus Train” by Erik Morales. “Once you hear the piece, you can easily visualize the story,” said Hall. “A circus packs up and the train begins to move to its next destination; but trouble looms ahead and chaos ensues. Be brave, though, for there’s light at the end of the tunnel.” This band will then conclude with “Tijuana Taxi,” as originally recorded by Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass. 

The Wind Ensemble will open with an original piece by Rick DeJonge called “A Toonful Tune” – a zany tribute to cartoon music and sound effects. From clever melodic references to hilarious effects including a high-pitched scream, ensemble laughter and whoopee cushions, Hall said this piece is “absolutely guaranteed to bring the house down.”

The ensemble will also perform Frank Ticheli’s moving rendition of “Shenandoah.” The work's mood ranges from quiet reflection, through growing optimism to profound exaltation. 

Additionally, Centreville’s band will play selections from the hit musical and movie, “Wicked,” before ending the night with its traditional, end-of-year performance of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa. 

“As always, this is a free, family-friendly event that we hope will bring in many guests from the Centreville community,” said Hall. “Come celebrate another tremendous year of in-person music-making, along with the Centreville High Wildcat Band family. We hope to see everyone there.”