Bulloch County’s four middle school bands are coming together to perform and compete in music festivals, and you have a chance to hear them in concert this week. On March 14, student musicians from Langston Chapel, William James, Southeast Bulloch and Portal middle schools will showcase their collective talents during a free, public concert on Thursday, March 14, at 7 p.m., in the Langston Chapel Middle School Gymnasium. The event is also a last formal rehearsal prior to the group competing in the Southern Star Music Festival in Atlanta on March 15. Under the direction of their school band directors John Gleissner (Portal), Richard Johnson (SEBMS), Melvin Hamilton (WJMS), and Samantha Boswell (LCMS), this initiative aims to bring together young musicians and foster a sense of unity and collaboration. "The global COVID pandemic affected school band programs, and individually our middle school band memberships were too small for any of us to really compete at larger festivals,” said Gleissner. “By collaborating, my school district colleagues and I have a chance to increase the camaraderie between all of our students and to give our bands the chance to participate in an educational experience they would not have had otherwise." Despite having only practiced together a few times, the students are eager to merge their individual talents and musical styles into a cohesive sound that represents the rich musical heritage of Bulloch County. “Audiences can expect a diverse repertoire that highlights the collective strengths of the participating students and celebrates the spirit of collaboration and musical excellence,” Gleissner said.
