SPRING CONCERT
2021
"All it takes is one song to bring back one thousand memories."
- Unknown
It was around the second week of March 2020 when the Saucedo Concert Band was preparing their three selections for the upcoming CPS Elementary Band Contest that weekend followed by the IGSMA Organization Contest the week after that. Band parents and I were planning for hosting our second IGSMA competition at Saucedo...it was busy as usual.
Then, news of a pandemic arose and public events and shows across the world were being cancelled; including both band competitions that the students worked hard for. All this just before the Governor of Illinois closed all schools in Illinois for a two-week period. Many people, including myself, thought things would be back to normal in a few weeks and we would get back to making music, possibly even rescheduling band contests...how wrong I was.
When the governor announced that all schools would be "virtual" for the remainder of the school year...I was at a loss. That announcement officially ended the band season prematurely for the 2019-2020 school year. I was upset for various reasons, mainly for the Band Class of 2020, but that soon subsided to fear.
Thoughts crept into my mind of the uncertainty of my profession's future. I wondered if band, choir and orchestra would still be relevant in a technology-driven world in the next three to five years now that we couldn't do what we do...building a community of music face-to-face. Band directors are traditionalists...its what we do, its who we are, and despite all the technological advances, the simple fact remains that you can't have a virtual band rehearsal; that technology still doesn't exist.
I still wanted the Band Class of 2021 to have a performance opportunity, but I didn't have a solid vision for this. My initial project was to have them all participate and compete at a virtual solo contest; there were rumors of one in the making, but none was ever announced. It then transformed into a virtual 8th grade recital and it would eventually become the 2021 Spring Concert. It wasn't my typical spring concert flair, but it would have do to under the circumstances.
This past February, schools were slowly reopening for in-person learning, but band program couldn't commence right away due to CPS regulations (and cold weather). I had already given up on the idea of having any kind of live band ensemble this year, but as more band students came back in-person, the question kept popping up..."are we doing band?"
Luckily, with some guidance information from Principal Hiltz, an opportunity presented itself in late April to have band outdoors. Four rehearsals wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. Unfortunately that was exactly what I had when I found out how many band students could actually attend rehearsals due to travel issues: 13, definitely not enough to have a well-balanced group.
I thought back to the Class of 2020 and how they never performed for their own spring concert. I sent them invitations (along with members of the Class of 2019) to join us for rehearsals with the hope of getting just enough of them to have the basic parts covered. Well, it worked out a little too well.
Class of 2019 members spread the news to Class of 2018 members who then spread the news to other alumni going all the way back to the Class of 2013. At the first rehearsal, the alumni outnumbered the current band students...which had me reminiscing about all the previous band students I've had over the course of my 19 years at Saucedo (and for some reason, alumni still ask me if I miss them.)
I never thought I would miss hearing a concert B-flat pitch after not conducting any ensembles in 1½ years. After that first rehearsal on May 13, I told them we would be recording within 4 rehearsals for the Virtual 2021 Spring Concert. It was a bold move. I could think of only one other time were the band had to performed with such little notice, but in that situation, at least the students were in "performance shape." I knew most of the students in front of me hadn't touched their instrument in a while (some since they've graduated), but I believed I could make something happen from this.
It was shortly thereafter that the idea formed of getting some of my older alumni involved somehow; so I got in contact a few who I know are still performing and they were happy to participate. This year's spring concert has been the most impromptu of all the concerts I've put together. However, looking at the lineup of performances, I can honestly say that this program is possibly one of my favorites since I began teaching here at Saucedo and definitely one of the most memorable. Seeing and hearing the story this program presents made me realize just how big an impact the Saucedo Band Program has made on the lives of many students throughout the years.
This concert is dedicated to all Saucedo band students, past and present, those who have persevered through 8th grade graduation, those who played only for a year, those who are still with us, those who have moved beyond...you make the Saucedo Band legacy memorable. Enjoy the 2021 Virtual Spring Concert.
Mr. Carlos Ayento
Director of Music and Bands
Maria Saucedo Scholastic Academy
Performances by the
BAND CLASS of 2021
ALEXANDER
ALVAREZ
trumpet
THE TECHNICIAN
Raymond M. Endersen
TIMBUKTU
Allen Vizzutti
derrick
hernandez
trombone
saqueboute - Movement I
Michel Delgiudice
Hale A. VanderCook
TROMBONE GEMS No. 5 - Topaz
JESUS
LOPEZ
trombone
GREAT SCOTT
Lennie Niehaus
ISAIAH
MELLADO
tenor saxophone
COQUIN-CÂLIN
Jérôme Naulais
ANDREW
OLVERA
clarinet
MOUNT VERNON MENUET
Gustave Langenus
IDYLLE
Eugène Bozza
JERRY
RAMIREZ
clarinet
GIRL NAMES
Mvt. 1 - Katie
Mvt. 2 - Helen
Mvt. 3 - Emma
Jeffrey Wilson
PEPPERINO
Raymond M. Endersen
MARCUS
SOLORZANO
snare drum
TOURMALINE
Haskell W. Harr
FIREWORKS
Fred Hoey
CHRISTOPHER
TREJO
clarinet
ÅSE'S DEATH
Edvard Grieg / arr. Davis
BONAVENTURA
Lennie Niehaus
MARIO
ZAVALA
flutes (concert & alto)
Andante - from Piano Sonata No. 1
Wolfgang A. Mozart / arr. Isaac
NOCTURNE
William Noll
Performances by
SAUCEDO BAND ALUMNI
BAND CLASS of 2020 QUARTET
Giovani Ibarra, oboe
Fabrizio Milcent, bassoon
Angel Alday, euphonium
Jonathan Martinez, bass trombone
IRISH TUNE FROM
COUNTY DERRY
Percy Aldridge Grainger
arr. Fabrizio Milcent ('20)
Angel, Fabrizio and Giovani are freshman, currently attending The Chicago High School for the Arts (Chi-Arts). Jonathan is currently attending Lincoln Park High School. Giovani, Fabrizio and Jonathan are members of the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative (CMPI) program.
LOS CHALANES
DE CHICAGO
Salvador Oronia (Class of 2017), bass
Pedro Ortiz, six-string guitar / vocals
Brandon Gutierrez, twelve-string guitar
CUANTO VALES AHORA
Plan D' Atake
Salvador graduated from Saucedo Academy in 2017 and is currently a senior at Eric Solorio High School. He plans to attend St. Xavier University in the fall to major in jazz studies. You can follow Salvador and Los Chalanes de Chicago on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube; as well as their electronic album on Spotify or Apple Music.
THE MARTINEZ BROTHERS
Abraham Martinez '13, saxophones
Daniel Martinez '16, trumpet
David Martinez '18, horn
Jonathan Martinez '20, trombone
CUBAUZA
Michael Philip Mossman
The Martinez Brothers have been working on their YouTube Channel: Martinez Music
Abraham and Daniel are currently attending Harold Washington College for Music Education. David is currently a junior at Lincoln Park High School and is studying sound engineering (he's the one who puts together and edits their videos). Jonathan currently is a freshman at Lincoln Park High School and is a member the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative (CMPI) program. They hope to add their two younger brothers Ethan (6th grade) and Ian (4th grade) to their group in the future.
JACOB
DELGADO
alto saxophone
Jacob graduated from Saucedo Academy in 2011 and attended Lincoln Park High School (Class of 2015). Jacob graduated from DePaul University in 2019 with a Bachelors in Music Education. He was a recipient of the Golden Apple Scholarship his sophomore year of college which helped me develop as an educator (and helped me pay the majority of school). While in college, Jacob played in the DePaul’s Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Orchestra, and a number of their jazz combos. He is currently the Kindergarten through 5th grade music teacher at the Hawthorne School of Dual Language in Vernon Hills. Jacob still plays saxophone and has performed in different settings and genres from jazz, tamborazo, merengue to hip hop.
Jacob will be performing some Latin jazz tunes on Saturday, June 19th in the Pilsen area though a partnership the Open Books organization. It’s free to the public! More info here! He will also be teaching jazz and the music of Mexico this summer in Pilsen through the People's Center Summer Arts program. For more information on this program, click here.
Antonio Carlos Jobim
Improvization over WAVE
ELLIOTT
GODINEZ
marimba
BLOOM SUITE - Movement 1
Elliot Cole
Elliott graduated from Saucedo Academy in 2009; attended Kelly High School (Class of 2013) and received his Bachelor’s in Music Education (2017) from Illinois State University. He taught music at the elementary level for a year before obtaining his Master's Degree in Music in 2021. Elliott is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Musical Arts from George Mason University and is currently starting up his own music institution: Godinez Percussion School. He is giving free lessons for CPS students who apply and are accepted. If you are interested taking lesson from Elliott contact him at elliottgmusic @ gmail.com for an application!
JOEL
CANTORAN
trumpet
ÉTUDES TRANSCENDANTeS - No. 2
Theo Charlier
Joel is an honorary Saucedo Band alumnus of 2007 (he moved out of the city just before his 8th grade year), but still played with us at a few performances and the All-City Elementary Band. Joel is a freelance musician and Brass Teaching Artist of the Chicago Metamorphosis Orchestra Program. He has appeared with a variety of ensembles including the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra, the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra, Transit Brass, Sun Stereo, the Everyone Orchestra, and Sycamore Brass Quintet. Joel’s diverse performance background has allowed him to perform throughout the United States and internationally in Mexico. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign where he studied under Ronald Romm and Charles Daval.
THE
FLOWMINGOS
Manuel Canchola (Class of 2008), baritone saxophone
Joonas Lemetyinen, trombone
Alex Silver, tenor saxophone
Josh Plath, drums & sound effects
Manuel (Manny) graduated from Saucedo Academy in 2008; attended Lincoln Park High School (Class of 2012). He then moved to New York City to attend the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. He played with The Drummatics for a few years before co-founding The Flowmingos in 2019. He is an active musician in New York City, performing at several venues monthly. You can follow Manny and the rest of the Flowmingos on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Listen to their albums on Spotify or Apple Music. Visit their website at flowmingos.com
Times Square
The Flowmingos
FAULTY
Joonas Lemetyinen
Performances by
SAUCEDO CONCERT BAND
As mentioned in my introductory message, this year's concert band had only 13 current band members able to return and perform. When the word went out to the Class of 2019 and 2020 to come back and perform with the Saucedo Concert Band, I wasn't expect the huge turn out of alumni. Thank you, alumni, for taking time to come back and perform with us. I know our time was short and that I didn't get ample opportunities to chat with each and everyone one you to see how you've been doing, but it meant so much that you came back. Perhaps this will be a start of a new tradition or even possibly an official alumni band in the future.
SHEPHERD'S HEY
Percy Aldridge Grainger
OBLIVION
Astor Piazzolla / arr. Lorezno Bocci
COPACABaNA
Barry Manilow / arr. Richard Saucedo
FLUTE
Viridiana Camarillo, '20
Maria Reese, '15
Regina Maldonado, '20
Mario Zavala
OBOE
Giovani Ibarra, '20
BASSOON
Fabrizio Milcent, '20
CLARINET
Efren Aguilar
Esmeralda Cantoran, '18
Karizma Cazarez, '20
Andrew Olvera
Jerry Ramirez
Christopher Trejo
Bass Clarinet
Abraham Mora
CONTRALTO CLARINET
Naomi Casarez, '13
Alto Saxophone
Eddie Arias, '18
Zitlali Cantoran, '20
TENOR SAXOPHONE
Orlando Huerta
Abraham Martinez, '13
TRUMPET
Alexander Alvarez
Saul Cirilo
Frank Escobedo
Alex Fajardo Chavez, '19
Jaime Lopez, '15
Daniel Martinez, '16
HORN
David Martinez, '18
TROMBONE
Gael Espriella, '18
Derrick Hernandez
Jonathan Martinez, '20
Bruce Morocho
Diego Reyes, '19
EUPHONIUM
Angel Alday, '20
Salvador Oronia, '17
TUBA
Daniel Soto, '15
Fernando Soto, '19
Percussion
Laura Carrion, '19
Yolitza Godinez, '19
Eric Hernandez
Bryan Pineda, '20
Performances by
SAUCEDO CLASSROOMS
THE
7C5s
Mrs. Van Stelle Haded's Room 321
O. Huerta - Tenor Saxophone
B. Guzman - Metallophone
X. Reyes - Metallophone
R. Sandoval - Metallophone
A. Santana - Metallophone
D. Yepez-Covarrubias - Metallophone
J. Castillo-Garcia - Bongos
D. Ramirez - Congas
K. Gonzalez-Molina - Timbales
M. Mendez - Guiro
M. Palacio Jr. - Maracas / "Magic 8 Balls"
B. Alcantar - Claves
TRAIGO CHA-CHA-CHA
Carlos Ayento
If you have been at Saucedo Academy for several years, you may remember a time when I used to have about 4 to 6 classrooms perform at every Spring Concert. It would be cute seeing a classroom of 1st graders, all dressed in concert black performing for their parents what they've learned in music class. As scheduling became more and more difficult in recent years, it was seldom that a classroom had ample time to prepare something for a performance and eventually I stopped including classrooms in the annual Spring Concert altogether.
With a slightly unique schedule this year due to the pandemic, a unique opportunity arose for a group of 7th graders who were enthusiastic about playing some instruments. When asked if they were interested in doing a group project, they all said 'yes.' So, with three class session to rehearse, we put together this video on their last day of music class this year. The band's name comes of their official class name: Pod 7C5. Enjoy!
LOS
NUEVE FABULOSOS
Class of 2021 Throwback Video
recorded May 2015
Marcus Solorzano - Solo Xylophone
Roman Cardenas - Metallophone
Vladamir Medina - Metallophone
Isaiah Mellado - Metallophone
Jerry Ramirez - Metallophone
Mario Zavala - Metallophone
Israel Hernandez - Bongos
Derrick Hernandez - Congas
Alexander Alvarez - Timbales
HAVANA CAFE
Carlos Ayento
BAND CLASS
of 2021
throwback photos
It wouldn't be a Spring Concert program without some throwback photos! Thank you. Band Class of 2021, for all your years of service to the Saucedo Band Program.
Alexander Alvarez - 6 years
Derrick Hernandez - 6 years
Jesus Lopez - 3 years
Isaiah Mellado - 6 years
Andrew Olvera - 6 years
Jerry Ramirez - 6 years
Marcus Solorzano - 7 years
Christopher Trejo - 6 years
Mario Zavala - 6 years