Schools

Kiltie Band's Spring Concert is Thursday

The bagpipes will be joined by a band and highland dancers for a special performance.

The stirring sounds of the Kiltie Band will fill the Riverview Performing Arts Center as the group presents its final performance of the school year at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 10.

The 90-minute Spring Concert, a Sarasota tradition for 53 years, will feature a variety of music performed by members of the band in their full traditional Scottish uniforms.

In addition to students playing wind and percussion instruments, bagpipers, highland dancers and the color guard will take the stage for this special performance.

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“This is perhaps the most important concert of the school year because it is the last performance for our graduating seniors,” said Mark Spreen, Kiltie Band director. “We are a very close group and everyone on stage and in the audience will feel the excitement and emotion. For anyone who has not visited Riverview High School since it was rebuilt, the Spring Concert is a great way to see and hear the band in the Performing Arts Center, an amazing facility that is a true asset to Sarasota.”   

Forty-nine seniors will be leaving the Kiltie Band this year, most moving on to college and many pursuing advanced music education. Since most Kilties join in their freshman year, this final concert will be the culmination of four years in the band for the seniors. Many traveled for band performances in Hawaii at the Pearl Harbor 70th Anniversary Commemoration in December 2011 and to Dublin, Ireland, for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2009, as well as dozens of local parades, Music Performance Assessment evaluations and other competitions and programs.

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Many current seniors also contributed to the Kilties earning unprecedented top scores from the Florida Bandmasters Association, and several participated in the All-State Honor Band.

A donation of $5 at the door will support Kiltie Band activities throughout the year. Reserved seating for groups of 10 or more can be arranged by contacting Miriam Thompson at 941-539-5383 or miriamdenver@netscape.net


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