WHS band students compose music for spring concert

The band room at Washingtonville High School was alive on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 with the sounds of students playing their instruments to prepare for their upcoming spring concert. Yet, what truly stood out were the four students who were conducting at the front of the class with music they had composed for the May 16th show.

Junior Andrew Dahlstorm, and seniors Ryan Godfrey, Jack Carola and Ella Dueck all created their own compositions that will debut at the spring concert. Each of these students has an immense amount of passion for music, which is evident as they led the band to create a beautiful melody that filled the room. 

This is a unique experience for these students, as it is not often that the band program has a group of students who are eager to write and create music. Not only have these students composed music for the upcoming concert, but they have also been leading the daily rehearsals in preparation for their pieces being showcased. 

“This is definitely more organic. I didn’t plan to have a student composers concert,” said Ari Contzius, music director at WHS. “We had the right students, who were self-motivated and I saw an opportunity and ran with it. It was an opportunity that almost never comes.”

Jack’s work, entitled “Journey’s End,” was created for the percussion ensemble. The other three pieces were written for the entire wind ensemble. These compositions are entitled, “Soaring!” created by Andrew, “The Adventure Begins,” crafted by Ryan, and “Petrichor,” which was written by Ella.  

“My favorite composition that I have created so far is probably the one wind ensemble is doing right now, ‘The Adventure Begins,’ said Ryan. “It’s my favorite one because I think the musical material in it is really strong and I think it tells a really awesome story in that it has an emotional meaning. It’s supposed to be telling of the adventure I’ve had here as a music student in Washingtonville. It’s been so fun putting it together and I think that’s why it’s become my favorite.” 

All three seniors who have composed music for the upcoming concert have plans to go to college to pursue music. Jack and Ryan will both be going to SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music to major in music education to become music teachers. Ella plans to attend New York University to partake in their music composition and theory program, concentrating in screen scoring to learn how to write music for film and media. Andrew hopes to continue composing music in his senior year as he decides what he wants to study in college. 

“Music can connect people in a different way,” said Ella. “Around the world, culturally; it’s built incredible friendships. My best friends, I’ve grown up going to festivals and playing with them. When you create something with somebody, that just creates a level of friendship and relationship unlike a lot of other things. When you’re creative with somebody, and you’re building off of ideas with each other and hearing feedback, that is so special.” 

The Spring High School Band Concert will be held at WHS on May 16, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.